Massachusetts Court Rules

Court rules control the procedural aspects of litigation. Whether your case is in the Massachusetts state courts, the federal district court, or the First Circuit, you must follow the appropriate procedural rules in order for your action to move forward.

At all steps of litigation, you may need to file pleadings or motions that comply with the rules of procedures. While the rules books contain the rules themselves, secondary sources for court rules are critical for locating sample forms that will help you write your own pleadings and motions. Court-specific form books provide forms and practice tips for particular courts.

Rules for the Massachusetts State Courts

Massachusetts Rules of Court, State
Print: Law Reserve, Law Mass Collection KFM 2929 .A193

The Rules: A Rules Service for Massachusetts, Containing Civil and Criminal Rules for State and Federal Courts
Print: Law Reserve KFM 2929 .A2x

Social Law Library: Massachusetts Rules of Court
Westlaw: MA-RULES database
Lexis: Massachusetts Court Rules

Rules for the District Court of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Rules of Court, Federal
Print: Law Reserve, Law Mass Collection KFM 2929 .A192

Lexis: Local Rules of U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts
Westlaw: MA-RULES database
Internet: District of Massachusetts web site

Rules for the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Massachusetts Rules of Court, Federal
Print: Law Reserve, Law Mass Collection KFM 2929 .A192

Lexis: USCS - Court of Appeals Rules - 1st Circuit
Westlaw: MA-RULES database
Internet: First Circuit web site

Secondary Sources for Court Rules and Procedural Forms

Massachusetts Practice covers over 40 areas of law, such as real estate, criminal procedure, etc. Start with the index located at the end of the set.
Print: Law Massachusetts Collection KFM 2480 .M3

Massachusetts Pleading and Practice: Forms and Commentary
Print: Law Reserve KFM 2938 .S92

Criminal Law & Procedure of Massachusetts
Print: Law Pappas KFM 2961 .C75

Court-specific Form Books

Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Forms
Print: Law Reserve KFM 2930 .Z9 M372 1997

Massachusetts Superior Court Criminal Practice Forms
Print: Law Reserve KFM 2930 .Z9 M363 1999

Handbook of Civil Procedure in the Massachusetts District Court
Print: Law Reserve KFM 2930 .P48