Law Library  Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure

Table of Contents

• I. Scope of rules: One form of action
  • Rule 1: Scope of rules 
  • Rule 2: One form of action 
• II. Commencement of action; service of process, pleadings, motions and orders
  • Rule 3: Commencement of action 
  • Rule 4: Process 
  • Rule 4.1: Attachment 
  • Rule 4.2: Trustee process 
  • Rule 4.3: Arrest: Supplementary process: Ne exeat 
  • Rule 5: Service and filing of pleadings and other papers 
  • Rule 6: Time 
• III. Pleadings and motions
  • Rule 7: Pleadings allowed: Form of motions 
  • Rule 8: General rules of pleading 
  • Rule 9: Pleading special matters 
  • Rule 10: Form of pleadings 
  • Rule 11: Appearances and pleadings 
  • Rule 12: Defenses and objections - When and how presented - By pleading or motion 
  • Rule 13: Counterclaim and cross-complaint 
  • Rule 15: Amended and supplemental pleadings 
  • Rule 16: Pre-trial procedure: Formulating issues 
• IV. Parties
  • Rule 17: Parties plaintiff and defendant: capacity 
  • Rule 19: Joinder of persons needed for just adjudication 
  • Rule 24: Intervention 
  • Rule 25: Substitution of parties 
• V. Depositions and discovery
  • Rule 26: General provision governing discovery 
  • Rule 27: Depositions before action or pending appeal 
  • Rule 28: Persons before whom depositions may be taken 
  • Rule 29: Stipulations regarding discovery procedure 
  • Rule 30: Depositions upon oral examination 
  • Rule 30A: Audio-visual depositions 
  • Rule 31: Deposition of witnesses upon written questions 
  • Rule 32: Use of depositions in court proceedings 
  • Rule 33: Interrogatories to parties 
  • Rule 34: Production of documents and things and entry upon land for inspection and other purposes 
  • Rule 35: Physical and mental examination of persons 
  • Rule 36: Requests for admission 
  • Rule 37: Failure to make discovery: Sanctions 
• VI. Trials
  • Rule 39: Trial by jury or by the court 
  • Rule 40: Assignment of cases for trial: Continuances 
  • Rule 41: Dismissal of actions 
  • Rule 42: Consolidation: Separate trials 
  • Rule 43: Evidence 
  • Rule 44: Proof of official records 
  • Rule 44.1: Determination of foreign law 
  • Rule 45: Subpoena 
  • Rule 46: Exceptions unnecessary 
  • Rule 51: Argument 
  • Rule 52: Findings by the court 
  • Rule 53: Masters 
• VII. Judgment
  • Rule 54: Judgments: Costs 
  • Rule 56: Summary judgment 
  • Rule 57: Declaratory judgment 
  • Rule 58: Entry of judgment 
  • Rule 59: New trials: Amendment of judgments 
  • Rule 60: Relief from judgment or order 
  • Rule 61: Harmless error 
  • Rule 62: Stay of proceedings to enforce a judgment 
  • Rule 63: Disability of a judge 
• VIII. Provisional and final remedies and special procedures
  • Rule 64: Report of case 
  • Rule 65: Injunctions 
  • Rule 65.1: Security: Proceedings against sureties 
  • Rule 67: Deposit in court 
  • Rule 69: Execution 
  • Rule 70: Judgment for specific acts: Vesting title 
• IX. Courts and clerks
  • Rule 77: Courts and registers 
  • Rule 78: Motion day 
  • Rule 79: Books and records kept by the register and entries therein 
  • Rule 80: Stenographic report or transcript 
• X. General provisions
  • Rule 81: Applicability of rules 
  • Rule 82: Jurisdiction and venue unaffected 
  • Rule 83: Supplemental rules 
  • Rule 84: Forms 
  • Rule 85: Title