Press Release  Supreme Judicial Court Issues Revised Rule 3:03 Governing Law Student Practice in Massachusetts Courts

BOSTON, MA — The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today issued an order revising SJC Rule 3:03, which governs practice by law students and recent law school graduates appearing before Massachusetts courts and administrative agencies.  The revised rule will take effect August 1, 2026, allowing law schools, law students, supervising attorneys, and affiliated agencies time to absorb the changes to the rule.

First adopted in 1966, the law student practice rule has been amended only occasionally in the last thirty years.  Consequently, in 2022 the SJC appointed a committee of judges and staff counsel representing the Appeals Court and each department of the Trial Court, as well as the SJC Clerk for the County of Suffolk, to review the current rule and make recommendations for improvements.  After surveying judges, law schools, and organizations engaging student practitioners about their views concerning law student practice and the current rule, the committee published a proposed draft revision in February 2024 and solicited comments on it.  The revised rule issued today incorporates significant changes based on suggestions made to the committee. 

The new rule embraces practical learning for law students and law school graduates, expands the range of practice opportunities available to them, and engages supervising attorneys.  It also provides greater clarity, structure, and regularity for the certification of student practitioners and their court appearances.    

The SJC Clerk for the County of Suffolk is responsible for managing student practitioner matters.  The SJC Clerk’s Office for the County of Suffolk will provide information, direction, and assistance to law schools, law students and recent graduates, and participating organizations to ensure a smooth transition to practice under the new rule.  All those interested  are encouraged to monitor the Student Practitioners website for more detailed information in advance of the effective date, August 1, 2026. 

###