258E Guideline 2:00: Designation of Staff

Part of the Guidelines of Judicial Practice: Harassment Prevention Proceedings.

Guideline 2:00

The clerk and the chief probation officer in each court should designate particular personnel to respond to plaintiffs seeking relief under G.L. c. 258E.

Commentary

The nature of c. 258E cases makes the selection of personnel to handle these actions particularly important. As with c. 209A cases, personnel assignments should be made with an eye toward choosing people who will be sensitive to the safety concerns and the sometimes intimate nature of the issues involved, as well as to the potential that the parties may be unfamiliar with court procedures. Even in small courts, more than one person should be assigned to handle these cases to ensure that plaintiffs are assisted throughout the business day and when the primary employee is not available. Designated personnel should be thoroughly familiar with the procedures and forms involved in c. 258E cases and should regularly review these Guidelines.

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Last updated: October 20, 2025

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