| Organization: | Massachusetts Court System Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court |
|---|---|
| Date published: | February 12, 2025 |
| Last updated: | February 21, 2025 |
2025 Edition
"Until we create a world in which all who need counsel in civil cases have access to counsel, we must do all we can to make the court system more understandable and accessible for the many litigants who must represent themselves."
- Hon. Ralph D. Gants (1954-2020)
Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court
State of the Judiciary Address, October 30, 2019
Table of Contents
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- Statement from the Supreme Judicial Court
- Preface by the SJC Committee
- Introduction
- Terminology
- 1. General Legal Principles
- 2. General Practices
- 3. Courtroom Management
- 4. Settlement and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- 5. The Litigation Process
- 6. Post-Hearing Matters
- 7. The Judge's Wider Role in Promoting Access to Justice