District Court pilot program for civil money damages actions in Norfolk County
Hon. Paul C. Dawley, Chief Justice of the District Court, announced Tuesday, May 31, 2016 as the commencement date for a new Civil Pilot Program involving court procedures in all civil money damage actions in the 5 District Courts in Norfolk County: Brookline, Dedham, Quincy, Stoughton, and Wrentham. The Pilot Program will apply to all civil money damage actions commenced in those courts on or after May 31, 2016.
The Standing Order and Civil Pilot Program will seek to improve the effective and efficient management of civil money damage cases in the District Court, from commencement to disposition, by separating these cases from other court business to provide exclusive, focused, and consistent judicial and administrative attention. The purpose of the Civil Pilot Program “is to determine whether the procedures it requires are feasible and effective in reducing costs and delay in the disposition of civil money damage actions in the District Court.” Following an adequate period of experience, the new procedures will be reviewed and evaluated. After any needed amendments, the new procedures will be considered for statewide implementation.
Additional Resources
Civil Appeals Clinic
If you have questions about how to appeal a judgment or decision, the Civil Appeals Clinic may be able to help. At the Clinic, free attorneys can explain the process for appealing a judgment or decision and answer questions about it. The Clinic is run by the Volunteer Lawyers Project and held at the Appeals Court Clerk’s Office on Wednesdays between 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please be advised that the Civil Appeals Clinic is staffed by volunteer attorneys and is limited to low-income persons who qualify for services. You will be screened for income, assets, and case type, among other things, before a volunteer attorney can meet with you. For more information about the screening process, please contact info@vlpnet.org.