Md. court increases scrutiny of foreclosures

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s highest court approved a new rule Tuesday that heightens the courts’ scrutiny over foreclosure filings after judges said thousands of foreclosures in the state may have been illegally processed.

The rule, which was approved unanimously by the state’s Court of Appeals, will allow judges to require anyone who submits a written statement in a foreclosure proceeding to appear in court and testify to its validity. That includes banking officials, borrowers, notaries and lawyers.