Massachusetts Appeals Court Clerk’s Office – Boston, MA

Intermediate Appellate Court in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Appeals Court Clerk’s Office serves as the administrative heart of the Commonwealth’s intermediate appellate court. Located within the historic John Adams Courthouse in Pemberton Square, this office is responsible for receiving, docketing, and maintaining all filings related to appeals from the Trial Court departments and the Appellate Tax Board. The Appeals Court reviews decisions from the District, Superior, Probate and Family, Juvenile, Housing, and Land Courts, ensuring that the law was correctly applied in lower court proceedings.

Core Administrative Functions

• Case Docketing: The Clerk’s Office assigns docket numbers to new appeals and maintains the official record of all case activity, including motions, briefs, and appendices.
• Case Management: Staff manage the progression of cases from entry to decision, ensuring compliance with the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• Single Justice Motions: The office processes motions and petitions addressed to the Single Justice of the Appeals Court, which often involve interlocutory rulings or emergency stays.
• Oral Argument Scheduling: The Clerk coordinates the calendar for oral arguments, notifying attorneys and self-represented litigants of hearing dates and panel assignments.

Courthouse and Public Access

The Clerk’s Office is situated on the first floor of the John Adams Courthouse. While the court is open to the public, visitors must adhere to strict security protocols. The office provides public terminals for searching case dockets and viewing electronic case records. Staff are available to answer procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice or conduct legal research for litigants. The historic nature of the building means space is limited, and visitors are encouraged to utilize public transportation due to the lack of on-site parking.

Important Filing Procedures

Attorneys are generally required to file documents electronically through the eFileMA system. Self-represented litigants may file in paper form or opt into electronic filing. Strict deadlines apply to all appellate steps, including the filing of the Notice of Appeal in the lower court and the subsequent entry fee payment in the Appeals Court. ⚖️ 🏛️