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News from the courts/agencies

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016
Court leaders speak at Worcester Court Service Center ceremony; Amendments to Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure effective Dec. 1; SJC approves amendments effective Nov. 1
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Court leaders speak at Worcester Court Service Center ceremony

At a ceremony at the Worcester Trial Court Complex on October 21, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey and Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence delivered remarks recognizing the opening of the Worcester Court Service Center.

"Court Service Centers are the single most important resource to help the unrepresented learn how to navigate our court system," said Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants.

Over the past two years, the Trial Court has opened six Court Service Centers throughout the state. Court Service Centers provide resources to help self-represented litigants better understand and navigate the court system. The Worcester Court Service Center is the fourth to open this year.

Read the full press release here.

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Amendments to Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure effective Dec. 1

The recent amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, effective December 1, make significant changes to appellate practice before the United States Court of Appeals.

These changes include a reduction in word limits for briefs; the conversion of page limits to word counts for motions, petitions for a writ of mandamus, petitions for rehearing/rehearing en banc and various other filings; the addition of a requirement that most documents prepared on a computer include a certificate of compliance with type-volume limits and the elimination of the three-day service period for documents served electronically.

A notice, including a detailed summary of major changes and a redline version of the full text of the amendments, is available on the First Circuit Court of Appeals website, at www.ca1.uscourts.gov, under News and Notices, as well as on the Notice of Rule Amendments page under Rules and Procedures.

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SJC approves amendments effective Nov. 1

The Supreme Judicial Court has approved the following amendments:

Rule 3:01 of the Rules of the Supreme Judicial Court - effective November 1

Uniform Schedule of Fees for the Trial Court - effective November 1

Appeals Court Standing Order Concerning Petitions to the Single Justice Pursuant to G. L. c. 231, § 118 {First Paragraph) or Rule 12(a) of the Uniform Rules on Impoundment Procedure and Standing Order Governing Motions to Stay a Judgment or Execution of Sentence Filed Pursuant to Mass. R.A.P. 6, - effective November 1

The recent amendments to the Federal Rules of
Appellate Procedure, effective December 1, 2016, make significant changes to appellate practice
before the United States Court of Appeals. These changes include a reduction in word limits for
briefs; the conversion of page limits to word counts for motions, petitions for a writ of
mandamus, petitions for rehearing/rehearing en banc and various other filings; the addition of a
requirement that most documents prepared on a computer include a certificate of compliance
with type-volume limits; and the elimination of the three-day service period for documents
served electronically. A notice, including a detailed summary of major changes and a redline
version of the full text of the amendments, is available on the First Circuit Court of Appeals
website, at www.ca1.uscourts.gov, under News and Notices, as well as on the Notice of Rule
Amendments page under Rules and Procedures.