Clerk's Guide - Single Justice Practice
An Overview
As originally conceived, the Appeals Court was not to have a single justice session. However, it rapidly developed in the first few years of the court's existence as result of both legislative initiatives and the necessity of managing the pending caseload.
With the enactment of new legislation over the years, the jurisdiction of the Appeals Court
single justice has expanded. The following are matters which are currently properly filed and considered in the single justice session:
- Petitions filed pursuant to G. L. c. 231, § 118, para. 1
- Summary process appeal bonds pursuant to G. L c. 239, § 5
- Appeals for waiver of costs and fees pursuant to G. L. c. 261, § 27D
- Jurisdictional amount dismissals pursuant to G. L. c. 212, § 3A and G. L. c. 218, § 19
- Appeals of impoundment orders
- Mass.R.A.P. 6 motions for stay of judgment or stay of sentence pending appeal
- Motions for leave to file a notice of appeal late
- Motions to docket the appeal late
- Procedural motions to assist the appellate process