Maryland prejudgment interest rate
United States Maryland prejudgment interest is discretionary — here is the rate courts apply.
→ All Maryland judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Fixed by statute Discretionary
2026 Maryland prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 6% per year
- Effective date
- July 9, 2026
- Controlling authority
- Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57
- Rate basis
- Fixed by statute
- Source checked
- July 9, 2026
- Recorded history
- 1 data point
In Maryland, prejudgment interest is discretionary: a court may award it, and when it does the rate is 6% per year under Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57. Availability depends on claim type under the three-category common-law framework (Buxton v.
When Maryland prejudgment interest applies
Availability depends on claim type under the three-category common-law framework (Buxton v. Buxton): (1) AS OF RIGHT (mandatory) where "the obligation to pay and the amount due had become certain, definite, and liquidated by a specific date prior to judgment" — e.g., written contracts to pay money on a day certain (bills of exchange, promissory notes), sums payable under leases as rent, bonds, and readily-ascertainable conversion claims.
When it starts accruing
For "as of right" liquidated claims: from the date the sum became due/certain (the specific date prior to judgment on which the fixed amount was owed and withheld). For contract claims generally: from the date of breach/when payment was due.
Simple or compound
Simple. The Court of Appeals in Buxton (following Md. Nat'l Bank v. Cummins, 322 Md. 570) limited prejudgment interest to simple interest at 6%.
→ Compare with the Maryland post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57 — 6% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Maryland’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Current recorded observation
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 6% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded July 9, 2026 (00:00 UTC) from the cited source (Maryland — mgaleg.maryland.gov):
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/LegisLegal/2025-constitution-maryland-us.pdf
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Maryland Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/maryland-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57, effective July 9, 2026.