LibGuides: Massachusetts Legal Research: Case Law: Court Rules, Records & Briefs, Dockets

Court Rules (Print)

Massachusetts Rules of Court: State. Annual. - St. Paul, MN: West Group.
Call Number: KFM2929 .A195

A one-volume collection of court rules, including the rules of civil, criminal and appellate procedure as well as standing orders from the courts. Court rules are also published in the various editions of the General Laws.

Court Rules (Online)

Westlaw This link opens in a new window
Massachusetts Court Rules are also available in Westlaw.
Personal passwords are restricted by our contract to currently enrolled law students and law faculty only.
Lexis This link opens in a new window
Massachusetts Court Rules are also available in LexisNexis.
Personal passwords are restricted by our contract to currently enrolled law students and law faculty only.

Guide to Massachusetts Evidence
Massachusetts has not codified its rules of evidence.

Researchers may wish to consult the Evidence volumes of the Mass. Practice series, Call Number KFM2480 .M3, vols. 19 and 20 (also available on Westlaw), as well as the Handbook of Mass. Evidence, Call Number KFM2940 .Z9 L4 2007.
Massachusetts Court System - Court Rules
Links to freely available Massachusetts court rules.

Records and Briefs (Print/Microform)

Collections of the briefs filed for Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court cases, arranged by Massachusetts Reports and Appeals Court Reports volume numbers. The SJC holdings begin in 1915. See Index notebooks in the Microform Room.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Records and Briefs.
Call Number: KFM2445.9 .S96x
Vol. 219 (1914) -.
Law Microform. Cabinet 19.
Massachusetts Appeals Court Records and Briefs
Call Number: KFM2445.9 .A66x
Vol. 1 (1972) -.
Law Microform. Cabinet 19.

Records and Briefs (Online)

Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts Public Case Information
The website contains complete information on cases entered since January 1, 1992 in the Supreme Judicial Court, and since January 1, 1988 in the Appeals Court.

To find the briefs filed in a case, use the "Case Search" function to find the docket of the case first. The briefs are linked from the docket page.
Westlaw Massachusetts Briefs
Selective coverage begins with 1999.
LexisNexis Massachusetts Briefs and Motions
Coverage is from 2000 through current.

Massachusetts Court Dockets

Bloomberg Law (BLAW) This link opens in a new window
Bloomberg Law offers access to Massachusetts state court dockets. Browsing by jurisdiction (Massachusetts) and docket access will provide a list of courts and dates of coverage.
Registration Required. Register Online.

Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts Public Case Information
Massachusetts Trial Court Information Center
Massachusetts Trial Courts have an online docket system. Attorneys may request access by registering with their BBO number and identity.