SJC Clerk's Office for the Commonwealth

The Clerk's Office for the Commonwealth maintains the docket and calendar for the Supreme Judicial Court full bench, attends sessions of the full court, processes pertinent filings, and serves as the court's liaison to parties or their counsel. 

The main caseload of the Clerk for the Commonwealth consists of first degree murder appeals and matters taken from the Appeals Court on the court's motion or on further or direct appellate review.

In addition, the office receives requests for advisory opinions from the Governor, the Governor's Council, or either branch of the Legislature; questions of law certified by Federal courts or certain other courts; original entries involving the discipline of clerks of courts and judges; appeals from decisions of the single justice; reservations and reports of the single justice; and interlocutory appeals and gatekeeper matters allowed by the single justice.

Court sessions are scheduled during the first full week of the month, from September to May. The Clerk for the Commonwealth is Francis V. Kenneally, Esq.