MASSACHUSETTS APPEALS COURT ACHIEVES GOAL
IN ELIMINATING CASE BACKLOG;
CITES EXPANSION OF APPEALS COURT AS PRIMARY REASON

Boston, MA—Chief Justice Christopher J. Armstrong today announced that the Massachusetts Appeals Court has achieved its goal of eliminating its appellate case backlog and cases considered by the Court now are scheduled on a timely basis, in accordance with appellate court case guidelines. 

            Four years ago, approximately 1400 cases on appeal had a waiting time of 22 months for civil cases and about 14 months for criminal cases to be heard or considered by the Justices.  Today it takes about five months from the filing of parties' legal briefs to oral argument or consideration by the Court.  Cases briefed by February 1 are now considered by the Appeals Court by June of the same year.

            Chief Justice Armstrong credits the legislation enacted in 2000, which expanded the Appeals Court from 14 to 25 judges, as the primary reason for the elimination of the case backlog.  To show the Court's appreciation to the bar, legislators and executive branch leaders, and the media who supported its effort to expand the number of Appeals Court Justices, Chief Justice Armstrong and the Associate Justices invited them to a breakfast reception at the Appeals Court Administrative Office to thank them personally.

            Our goal to eliminate the case backlog has been achieved because of the steadfast determination of our judges and staff, but we could not have accomplished our mission without the aid and support of bar leaders and other lawyers, executive and legislative branch leaders, and the editors of many media outlets, who recognized our court's dire need for more resources to administer justice.  We are grateful to all of them," said Chief Justice Armstrong.

            Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall also applauded the Appeals Court's accomplishment. She said, "This is a spectacular achievement by the Appeals Court, one that could not have been done without the three branches of government working in concert toward a common goal. I particularly appreciate the support from legislative leaders and successive Governors. The Appeals Court can now deliver justice in a timely manner.