Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Section 4.7: Limitations of student practice (Effective August 1, 2026)

Absent unusual circumstances, and in keeping with the purposes of Rule 3:03, as delineated in Section 1, justices, judges, and presiding officers should permit student practitioners to appear as set forth in this rule, provided the student practitioner is sufficiently prepared, knowledgeable, and competent to appear before the particular court or agency and their educational experience will not interfere with the orderly administration of justice. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit the discretion of justices, judges, and presiding officers to prescribe the form or manner in which cases are presented to protect the orderly administration of justice. If a limitation is ordered, the justice, judge, or presiding officer must grant a reasonable continuance for the matter, if requested and necessary to protect the party represented by the student practitioner.