Statement from the Supreme Judicial Court Regarding the Judicial Guidelines for Civil Cases with Self-Represented Litigants (2025 Edition)

These guidelines provide statements of principle as well as suggested techniques for managing litigation with one or more self-represented parties.

The Supreme Judicial Court recommends that all judges and other court staff refer to these Guidelines for guidance in civil cases with self-represented litigants. The Guidelines provide a helpful compendium of principles and approaches applicable to these cases, drawn from the Massachusetts Code of Judicial Conduct; governing case law; relevant court rules, orders, and policies; and widely accepted best practices. The Guidelines are not intended to establish a new set of rules independent of those underlying authorities, but rather to present their contents in a more readily accessible format. We encourage all interested persons to consult the Guidelines as an important resource for civil cases with self-represented litigants.

Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd
Justice Frank M. Gaziano
Justice Scott L. Kafker
Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt
Justice Serge Georges, Jr.
Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar
Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian

February 2025