Opinion ID: 1906595
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: request for reconsideration and timeliness of appeal

Text: [¶ 5] SMP argues that Johnson did not file a timely appeal. In response, Johnson argues that the filing of his motion for reconsideration tolled the running of the appeal period. We agree and conclude that Johnson's appeal was timely. The Maine Rules of Civil Procedure do not specifically provide for a motion for reconsideration, however, we treat such a motion as a motion to alter or amend a judgment pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 59(e) or as a motion for relief from judgment pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 60(b). Madore v. Maine Land Use Regulation Comm'n, 1998 ME 178, ¶ 15, 715 A.2d 157, 161; see M.R. Civ. P. 59(e); [1] M.R. Civ. P. 60(b). [2] A prejudgment attachment order is not a proper subject of a motion seeking relief from a judgment pursuant to Rule 60(b). See Spack v. Puorro, 1997 ME 13, ¶ 2, 689 A.2d 589, 589. To hold that Rule 59(e) is also inapplicable to prejudgment attachment orders would require parties to appeal to the Law Court to remedy even inadvertent errors by the trial court. Consequently, we treat Johnson's motion for reconsideration as a timely motion to alter or amend a judgment pursuant to Rule 59(e). The filing of the motion tolls the running of the appeals period. M.R. Civ. P. 73(a) ([T]he full time for appeal ... commences to run and is to be computed from the entry of [an order] ... granting or denying a motion under Rule 59 to alter or amend judgment ....). Johnson, therefore, filed a timely notice of appeal.