Maine supersedeas practice is governed by Me. R. App. P. 6 and 14 M.R.S. §1851. Maine has a single-tier appellate system; appeals run directly to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court (sitting as the Law Court). We write Maine appeal bonds in the (direct to Maine Supreme Judicial Court), the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and the U.S. District Courts (D. Me.).
A Maine judgment carries immediate collection consequences. Without a supersedeas bond, the prevailing party can begin enforcement the day the judgment is entered — garnishments, abstracts of judgment, executions on personal property. Me. R. App. P. 6 governs the procedure for staying execution by surety bond; 14 M.R.S. §1851 provides the statutory framework.
Maine has a single-tier appellate system; appeals run directly to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court (sitting as the Law Court).
The bond is the three-party agreement standard to all surety practice: the appellant as principal, the appellee as obligee, and Surety One as the surety standing behind the promise with real capital. Filing is with the superior court clerk that entered the judgment; the bond stays execution by operation of Me. R. App. P. 6 once approved.
Two bodies of authority govern Maine supersedeas practice: Me. R. App. P. 6 for the procedural framework, and 14 M.R.S. §1851 for the substantive bond requirements. We underwrite each bond to satisfy both.
Maine supersedeas bonds are collateral-typical. Full collateral equal to the bond amount is the standard requirement, accepted in three forms: cash held in escrow by Surety One, an irrevocable letter of credit from a federally insured bank, or U.S. Treasury securities pledged with an CUSIP custody arrangement. We do not accept real estate as collateral.
Non-collateralized Maine supersedeas bonds are available through our non-standard program for applicants with substantial unencumbered net worth and strong liquid position. Audited financials, three years of tax returns, personal financial statements for principals, and confirmation of no pending claims are required for non-collateralized placement.
Filing is with the superior court clerk in the county where the judgment was entered. We deliver bonds in PDF for same-day filing; most Maine courts accept e-filed bonds through their statewide e-filing systems.
Three documents start every file: the final judgment, the notice of appeal, and a financial statement appropriate to the bond size. Our underwriting desk responds within four business hours; same-day issuance is standard for qualified, collateralized files.
Send the judgment and notice of appeal. Our underwriters open the file and respond immediately, 7/52/365.