Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Announcements

Recent Announcements
SJC Statement, Report of Special Counsel R.J. Cinquegrana
Amicus Announcements
Amicus Announcements added (6/6/13)
Judicial and Clerks' Ethics Opinions
1 Judicial Ethics Opinion added (3/26/13)
1 Clerks' Ethics Opinion added (6/5/13)
Rules Announcements
Notice of Rule Change
Amendment to Rule 4(a) of the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure

Amendments to the District/Municipal Courts Rules 4(a) and 8C(d) for Appellate Division Appeal

Amendment to Rule 4:02 of the Rules of the Supreme Judicial Court

Notice of Approval of Amended Regulation 9 and new Regulation 10 of the Regulations of the Jury Commissioner

Notice Inviting Comment
Proposed Amendments to Rule 43 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure

Proposed Amendment to Supreme Judicial Court Rule 4:02

Standing Orders
SJC Order Extending the Modified Procedure for Appeals in Bar Discipline Cases

Rules Archive

NEWS

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Supreme Judicial Court Mission Statement

To promote the rule of law and foster public trust by leading an independent judiciary that assures every person equal access to the fair, timely and impartial resolution of disputes in courts managed with efficiency and professionalism.

Nominations Sought for the 2013 Pro Bono Publico Awards
The Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services is seeking nominations for the annual Pro Bono Publico Awards. The awards honor Massachusetts lawyers, law students, law firms, government attorney offices, corporate law departments, laws schools or other institutions in the legal profession that demonstrate outstanding and exceptional commitment for providing volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 1, 2013. Click here for more information.

News Media Registration Under SJC Rule 1:19 Now Available
As of September 17, 2012, news organizations and news media individuals who are not employed by a news organization must register with the Supreme Judicial Court's Public Information Office for initial permission to bring electronic devices into the courtroom under SJC Rule 1:19. Click here to access instructions, the registration form and other informational materials relative to the rule.

Law Day at the John Adams Courthouse - May 2, 2013

Student Government Day at the John Adams Courthouse on April 5, 2013

In celebration of Law Day 2013, 140 eighth grade students from the John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science in Boston participated in educational activities at the John Adams Courthouse. Supreme Judicial Court Justices Margot Botsford and Ralph D. Gants led discussions with the students about the role of an independent judiciary and the rule of law in a constitutional democracy.

This year's American Bar Association Law Day theme was "Realizing the Dream: Equality for All". Lawyers from the Supreme Judicial Court Law Clerk Society facilitated small group discussions with the students on issues involving equality and justice.

A theatrical production of "The Nine Who Dared: Crisis in Little Rock," performed by Theatre Espresso, dramatized the events of September 4, 1957, when violence and discrimination against African Americans in Little Rock, Arkansas, increased as a result of school desegregation. The students participated in the follow up discussion by playing the role of the Little Rock community. The performers encouraged the students to analyze the ethical, legal and philosophical issues of the era of the American civil rights movement.