Massachusetts law about subpoenas

Laws, rules, and web sources on subpoenas in Massachusetts.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Massachusetts rules

Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure 45: Subpoenas

• Rule 45(a). For attendance of witnesses; form; issuance
• Rule 45(b). Combining or separating a command to produce or to permit inspection; specifying the form for electronically stored information
• Rule 45(c). Service
• Rule 45(d). Subpoenas for taking deposition and for command to produce; place of examination
• Rule 45(e). Subpoena for a hearing or trial
• Rule 45(f). Duties in responding to a subpoena
• Rule 45(g). Contempt

Trial Court Rule IX: Uniform rules on subpoenas to court officials

• Rule 1. Subpoena to a justice, magistrate or probation officer
• Rule 2. Subpoena duces tecum to court officials
• Rule 3. Subpoena duces tecum for records of the Office of the Commissioner of Probation

Forms

Subpoenas, Mass. Legal Help. Includes:

• Sample blank subpoena to testify and bring written evidence to court
• Example - Subpoena for a friend or family member testify and bring written evidence to court
• Example - Subpoena for a DCF caseworker to testify and bring their appointment book to court

See Print Sources below for in-library resources that provide additional forms.

Service providers

While Rule 45 provides that service can be made by "any person who is not a party and is not less than 18 years of age," service can also be made by a Deputy Sheriff or Constable

•    Constable directory
•    Sheriffs by county 

Web sources

Are deposition subpoenas enforceable in Massachusetts civil cases?, Lynch & Owens P.C. (By James M. Lynch, June 9, 2017).
Reviews the “Massachusetts laws which give teeth to subpoenas in civil cases, including the issuance of bench warrants.”

The new "documents only" subpoena under recently amended Mass. R. Civ. P. 45, Boston Bar Journal, 2015.
Nice summary of the rule and procedure. 

SJC changes subpoena rules for Massachusetts litigants, Schwartz Hannum PC, (September 2015).

Understanding non-party subpoenas in Massachusetts Probate and Family court, Mass. Legal Help, 2024.
Includes general information about different types of subpoenas, how to write and serve a subpoena, what happens when someone ignores a subpoena, and more.

Deposition and discovery request for use in another state

Massachusetts Laws

MGL c. 223A, § 10 Taking depositions outside commonwealth; issuance of commissions or letters rogatory

MGL c. 223A, § 11 Discovery within commonwealth for proceedings outside commonwealth

MGL c. 233, § 45 Deposition for use in another state

Print sources

LexisNexis practice guide: Massachusetts civil pretrial practice, annual, LexisNexis.
Chapter 12. § 12.08 CHECKLIST: Compelling Witness' Appearance and Production of Records at Trial By Subpoena; § 12.09 Compelling Appearance and Production of Documentary Evidence at Trial by Subpoena; § 12.10 Moving to Quash or Modify Subpoena.

LexisNexis practice guide: Massachusetts civil trial practice, annual, LexisNexis.
Chapter 1. § 1.15 Serving Trial Subpoena.

Massachusetts pleading and practice: forms and commentary, v.6, Matthew Bender, loose-leaf, Chapter 45-Rule 45. Subpoena. Forms included. 

Massachusetts Practice:

• vol. 7 (Rules practice) 2nd ed., Thomson/West, 2007 with supplement, Sections 45.1-45.9.
• vol. 9 (Civil practice) 3rd ed. Thomson/West, 2004 with supplement, Sections 22.12-22.13, 30.2- 30.4.
• vol. 10C (Procedural forms annotated) 6th ed. West, 2009 with supplement, Sections 91:1-91:20. (Quashing motions included)
• vol. 31 (Equitable remedies) 3rd ed. Thomson/West, 2007 with supplement, Section 5.7.
• vol. 43A (Trial practice) 3rd ed. Thomson Reuters, 2017 with supplement, Sections 13:2-13:5.
• vol. 49A (Discovery) 3rd ed. Thomson Reuters, 2017 with supplement, Sections 8.4-8.7, 8.74-8.76.

Last updated:	March 11, 2024