If you have questions about how to appeal a judgment or decision from a trial court, the Civil Appeals Clinic may be able to help. Through the Clinic, free attorneys can explain the process for appealing a judgment or decision and answer your questions about it. These attorneys can also help you decide whether to appeal a decision. In some cases, your matter may be referred for further assistance and representation on the appeal.
About the Clinic
The Civil Appeals Clinic is run by the Volunteer Lawyers Project and staffed by volunteer attorneys. The Clinic serves people with low incomes who qualify for services in certain civil matters. You will be screened for income, assets, and case type, among other things, before a volunteer attorney can meet with you.
For more information about the screening process, call the Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) Helpline at (617) 603-1700. To sign up for the Clinic, call the same number or apply on the Volunteer Lawyers Project website.
Clinic hours
The Clinic offers legal assistance, both in person and on Zoom, on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Clinic locations
In person
To get legal assistance in person, visit the Appeals Court Clerk's Office at the John Adams Courthouse.
Appeals Court Clerk's Office
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square, Room 1200
Boston, MA 02108
Online (Zoom)
If you cannot attend the Clinic in person, you may join the Clinic's Zoom session using the link or Meeting ID below.
Join the Civil Appeals Clinic Zoom session
Meeting ID: 890 5944 9490
Passcode: 259195
Types of cases
Clinic attorneys can help with questions about appealing a case that is civil in nature, not criminal. The most common types of civil cases include:
- Family or domestic relations matters
- Guardianship
- Protective and restraining orders issued under G. L. c. 209A or G. L. c. 258E
- Housing matters, such as eviction or summary process cases, reasonable accommodations, and housing conditions
- Consumer matters, such as collections
- Employment disputes, such as wage and hour, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination
Types of assistance
Clinic attorneys may:
- Assess whether a final judgment exists and calculate any filing deadlines
- Give general advice about appellate issues and procedure
- Help you decide whether to appeal or to continue seeking relief in the trial court
- Provide and assist with self-help materials, other resources, forms, and motions
Documents to bring
Bring the following documents when meeting with Clinic attorneys:
- The judgment or decision you are seeking to appeal
- Any briefs or motions related to that judgment or decision
- The complaint and answer filed in your case
- Any papers you have already filed to appeal your case
- Any other court papers about the issue you would like to appeal
If you do not have one or more of these documents, contact the Clerk's Office of the trial court where your case was filed and ask for copies of any missing documents.
Deadlines for filing an appeal
There are deadlines for filing an appeal, and they vary depending on the nature of your case. Visit the following pages to learn more about these deadlines and the appeals process:
You can also call the Volunteer Lawyers Project's Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) Helpline at (617) 603-1700 to learn about additional legal resources, or visit the Volunteer Lawyers Project website.