Application of the new fee policy for dispute resolution services

A new fee policy has been approved for dispute resolution services. This policy addresses whether programs may charge fees after a free service has been provided. This new policy allows approved programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services for the same case or dispute after a free service as long as the program is approved to charge fees by the Departmental Chief Justice, and the fees for continuation or subsequent services are agreed to in writing by the parties prior to the initial free dispute resolution service.

Effective Date

The new Fee Policy will take effect on January 1, 2019. This effective date coincides with the date for new program approval to provide court-connected dispute resolution services

Department Implementation of the Fee Policy

The Trial Court departments will implement the policy as follows:

1. Boston Municipal Court: The Boston Municipal Court does not approve programs to charge fees for dispute resolution services and will not be approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
2. District Court: The District Court does not approve programs to charge fees for dispute resolution services and will not be approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
3. Housing Court: The Housing Court approves programs to provide either free or fee-based services but will not be approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
4. Juvenile Court: The Juvenile Court does not approve programs to charge fees for dispute resolution services and will not be approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
5. Land Court: The Land Court does approve programs to charge fees for dispute resolution services and will be approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
6. Probate and Family Court: The Probate and Family Court approves programs to provide either free or fee-based services and will consider approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.
    
7. Superior Court: The Superior Court approves programs to provide either free or fee-based services and will consider approving programs to charge fees for continuation or subsequent services after a free service as provided by the policy.