Federal Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals amendment to Local Rule 30.0
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has announced that amendments to Local Rule 30.0 will become effective on May 14, 2009.
The amendments and notice give guidance to counsel as to what documents should typically be included in the appendix. In the near future, the district courts will cease printing and transmitting a full paper record in cases where appellant is represented by counsel. Thus, for the convenience of the court, counsel will need to ensure that the addendum and appendix, combined, include those parts of the record necessary to understand the issues on appeal. The notice to counsel may be modified from time to time as experience warrants.
New Probate and Family Court rules effective May 1
The Supreme Judicial Court approved rules changes in the Probate and Family Court effective May 1, 2009. The changes, which had been recommended by the Probate and Family Court Bench/Bar Committee on Rules, affect the Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure, the General Rules of the Probate Court, and the Supplemental Rules of the Probate Court.
Admission to practice rules change goes into effect July 1
Six changes to chapter three of the rules of the Supreme Judicial Court, dealing with admission to practice in Massachusetts, have been amended and will take effect on July 1, 2009.
Amended Board of Bar Examiners admission standard goes into effect July 1
An amendment to the rules of the Board of Bar Examiners dealing with Rule 5, which addresses character and fitness standards of admission, has been approved by the Supreme Judicial Court and will become effective on July 1, 2009.