Rule 3-341. Amendment of Pleadings

(a) Prior to 15 Days of Trial Date. A party may file an amendment to a pleading at any time prior to 15 days of a scheduled trial date. Within 15 days after service of an amendment, any other party to the action may file a motion to strike setting forth reasons why the court should not allow the amendment. A notice of intention to defend previously filed pursuant to Rule 3-307 shall apply to the amendment. An adverse party who has not previously filed a notice of intent to defend shall do so within ten days after service of the amended pleading. (b) Within 15 Days of Trial Date and Thereafter. Within 15 days of a scheduled trial date or after trial has commenced, a party may file an amendment to a pleading only by written consent of the adverse party or by leave of court. If the amendment introduces new facts or varies the case in a material respect, the new facts or allegations shall be treated as having been denied by the adverse party. The court shall not grant a continuance or mistrial unless the ends of justice so require. (c) Scope. An amendment may seek to (1) change the nature of the action, (2) set forth a better statement of facts concerning any matter already raised in a pleading, (3) set forth transactions or events that have occurred since the filing of the pleading sought to be amended, (4) correct misnomer of a party, (5) correct misjoinder or nonjoinder of a party so long as one of the original plaintiffs and one of the original defendants remain as parties to the action, (6) add a party or parties, (7) make any other appropriate change. Amendments shall be freely allowed when justice so permits. Errors or defects in a pleading not corrected by an amendment shall be disregarded unless they affect the substantial rights of the parties. nonjoinder of a party so long as one of the original plaintiffs and one of the original defendants remain as parties to the action, (6) add a party or parties, (7) make any other appropriate change. Amendments shall be freely allowed when justice so permits. Errors or defects in a pleading not corrected by an amendment shall be disregarded unless they affect the substantial rights of the parties. (d) If New Party Added. If a new party is added by amendment, the amending party shall cause a summons and complaint, together with a copy of all pleadings, scheduling notices, court orders, and other papers previously filed in the action, to be served upon the new party. Section (a) is derived from former Rule 320. Section (b) is new and is derived in part from former Rule 320 e. Section (c) is derived from sections a 2, 3, 4, b 1 and d 5 of former Rule 320 and former Rule 379. Section (d) is new.