Juvenile Court Rules  Rules for the Care and Protection of Children: Rule 16. Hearing on the merits (Effective August 4, 2025)

A hearing on the merits shall be held not later than fifteen months from the filing of the care and protection petition in accordance with G. L. c. 119, § 26 and Juvenile Court Standing Order 2-18. The dates for the hearing shall be scheduled at the discovery/motion status hearing, if not sooner. For contested matters, a minimum of three consecutive hearing dates shall be scheduled for the hearing.

Attorneys for all parties, are expected to be available each day of the hearing on the merits with no continuances allowed except for extraordinary circumstances. A written motion shall be filed and the judge shall make an oral finding on the record regarding the reason for any continuance. If a hearing date is continued, it is presumed that the hearing will continue on the next business day. Attorneys, therefore, shall be available day to day and are expected to schedule hearings on the merits as a priority.

Due to the importance of conducting the hearing on the merits in a timely manner, all attorneys, including attorneys for the Department, shall ensure that they are available day to day until the conclusion of the hearing on the merits and are encouraged to avoid scheduling other hearings, including temporary custody hearings held pursuant to G. L. c. 119, § 24, during the duration of the hearing on the merits.