2096

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 505

court rendering the same and such defendant or his legal
representative let in to defend; provided it is made to
appear that the defendant has a meritorious or legal defense
to the action or some part thereof. Vacating, setting
aside, or reversing any judgment because of any of the
provisions of this subtitle does not impair any right or
title acquired by a bona fide purchaser for value under such
judgment.

(e) At any stage thereof any action or proceeding in
any court in which a person in [civil defense] EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL DEFENSE service or a person suffering
injury or damage is involved, either as plaintiff or
defendant, during the period of such service or within sixty
days thereafter may, in the discretion of the court in which
it is pending, or its own motion, and shall, on application
to it by such person or some person on his behalf, be stayed
as provided in this subtitle, unless, in the opinion of the
court, the ability of plaintiff to prosecute the action or
the defendant to conduct his defense is not materially
affected by reason of being a person in [civil defense]
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL DEFENSE service or a person
suffering injury or damage.

18.

When an action for compliance with the terms of any
contract is stayed pursuant to this subtitle no fine or
penalty shall accrue by reason of failure to comply with the
terms of such contract during the period of such stay, and
in any case where a person fails to perform any obligation
and a fine or penalty for such nonperformance is incurred a
court may, on such terms as may be just, relieve against the
enforcement of such fine or penalty if it shall appear that
the person who would suffer by such fine or penalty was a
person in [civil defense] EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL
DEFENSE service or a person suffering injury or damage when
the penalty was incurred and that by reason of being in such
category the ability of such person to pay or perform was
thereby materially impaired.

19.

In any action or proceeding commenced in any court
against a person in [civil defense] EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND
CIVIL DEFENSE service or a person suffering injury or
damage, before or during the period of being in such a
category, or within sixty days thereafter, the court may, in
its discretion, on its own motion, or on application to it
by such person or some person on his behalf shall, unless in
the opinion of the court the ability of the defendant to
comply with the judgment or order entered or sought is not
materially affected by reason of his being a person in
[civil defense] EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL DEFENSE
service or a person suffering injury or damage —