High school students participate in Student Government
Day at SJC
High school students from schools across the commonwealth
learned about the state judiciary and the appellate process during
Student Government Day at the Supreme Judicial Court on April
1.
The students began their day participating in activities at the
State House and learning about the state's executive, judicial and
legislative branches. Appeals Court Justice Mark V. Green addressed
the students on behalf of the judiciary. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito
greeted the students and spoke on behalf of the executive branch.
Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Speaker of the House of
Representatives Robert A. DeLeo spoke on behalf of the legislative
branch.
The students then went to the John Adams Courthouse, where
Supreme Judicial Court Justice Margot Botsford spoke to the
students about her role as a judge and the role of the appellate
courts within the judiciary. The two clerks of the Supreme Judicial
Court, Eric Wetzel, first assistant clerk for the county of
Suffolk, who spoke on behalf of Clerk Maura S. Doyle, and Francis
V. Kenneally, clerk for the commonwealth, educated the students
about their roles as clerks and the history and founding of the
Supreme Judicial Court. SJC law clerks also engaged the students in
a discussion of their roles during lunch.
Established in 1947, Student Government Day is sponsored by the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to
encourage students to learn about the role and function of the
three branches of government through observation and active
participation.
Appeals Court launches electronic filing pilot
project
The Appeals Court has launched an electronic filing pilot
project as of March 31.
The pilot includes all civil, non-impounded appeals subject to
review by a three-judge panel. A case initiation document (Civil
Appeal Entry Form), electronic payment of entry fees, and many
types of motions and other documents may be electronically filed
and served through the Massachusetts Court System Odyssey File and
Serve Site. In May, the pilot will expand to include the electronic
filing and service of briefs and appendices in all civil,
non-impounded panel cases.
Any Massachusetts attorney may register to participate in the
e-filing pilot. Before participating, all filers should become
familiar with the Interim Electronic Filing Rules for Pilot Courts,
the Appeals Court Order Concerning Electronic Filing Pilot Project
and the helpful training and guidance materials, which are all
located on the Appeals Court FAQ Guidance page at
www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/appealscourt.
Comments sought on proposed amendments to SJC
rules
An update to the Supreme Judicial Court's "Notice Inviting
Comment" section has been posted seeking comments on proposed
amendments to miscellaneous rules.
For a full listing of the notices, visit www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/rules-of-court.