Supreme Judicial Court Issues New Order Pausing Jury Trials

BOSTON, MA -- In response to the current situation in the Commonwealth with respect to COVID-19, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today issued an order pausing all jury trials in Massachusetts state courthouses until January 31, 2022. All courts otherwise will remain open for in-person business, with a continued emphasis on conducting matters remotely whenever possible. Read Full Article

Social Law Library Holiday Hours

Please note the the Social Law Library's upcoming holiday hours for November and December 2021. Read Full Article

Supreme Judicial Court Commences Search ​for Next Chief Justice of the Trial Court (November 2)

With Chief Justice Paula Carey retiring in January 2022, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has commenced the process to select her successor by issuing a notice inviting applications and nominations for the position of Chief Justice of the Trial Court. Read Full Article

Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Announces Seven New Members and Release of 2020 – 2021 Annual Report

The Supreme Judicial Court today announced the appointments of seven new members to the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and the release of the Commission's 2020-2021 Annual Report. First established by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2005, the Access to Justice Commission seeks to improve access to justice for people who are unable to afford an attorney for essential civil legal needs, such as cases involving housing, consumer debt, and family law. Read Full Article

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd Delivers State of the Judiciary Speech

BOSTON, MA -- The Hon. Kimberly S. Budd presented her first annual address on the state of the judiciary to the legal community at the Massachusetts Bar Association's Bench-Bar Symposium today. Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Budd opened her remarks by recognizing the extraordinary challenges of the last year and a half, including the crushing loss of the late SJC Chief Justice Ralph Gants. Read Full Article