Massachusetts Court Exhibit Requirements
Master Massachusetts exhibit requirements under Superior Court Rule 9A and Standing Order 1-88 for Superior Courts across the Commonwealth.
Key Deadline: Exchange exhibits 5 business days before final pre-trial conference. Rule 9A requires tab dividers, consecutive numbering, and Table of Contents.
Quick Reference
Updated 2025-01-1525 MB single, 50 MB envelope
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Letters (A, B, C...)
5 days before final conf.
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Superior Court Rule 9A - Exhibits separated by tab dividers, pages consecutively numbered, Table of Contents required for multiple exhibits.
Summary Judgment
Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) - Summary judgment exhibits filed as single joint appendix with index, assembled by initial moving party.
E-Filing
eFileMA (Standing Order 1-23) - Searchable PDF required. 25 MB single document, 50 MB envelope. No password protection.
Deadlines
Standing Order 1-88 - Exhibit exchange 5 business days before final pre-trial conference. 3-year retention under Rule 14.
Rule 9A Exhibit Requirements
Comprehensive Formatting Requirements
Massachusetts Rule 9A sets specific formatting requirements that apply to all exhibits:
eFileMA Specifications
- PDF format required (searchable)
- 25 MB per document
- 50 MB per envelope
- Electronically converted preferred
Exhibit Numbering
- Plaintiff: Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
- Defendant: Letters (A, B, C...)
- Joint exhibits: J-1, J-2, J-3...
- Include docket number
Track-Based Case Management
Massachusetts uses track-based case management that affects discovery timelines and exhibit exchange deadlines.
Fast Track
16
months discovery
- Streamlined procedures
- Expedited deadlines
- Standard civil cases
Average Track
36
months discovery
- Extended discovery period
- Complex litigation
- Business Litigation Session
Standing Order 1-88 Timeline
Before Final Pre-Trial Conference
Exchange exhibit lists and copies with all parties
Exhibit Retention (Rule 14)
Exhibits must be retained for 3 years after final disposition
Major Massachusetts Courts
Suffolk County Superior Court (Boston)
Largest Superior Court division in Massachusetts. Hosts the Business Litigation Session for complex commercial cases with specialized case management.
Business Litigation Session: Specialized procedures for complex business disputes. Check BLS standing orders for specific exhibit requirements.
Middlesex County Superior Court
Second largest division serving Cambridge and suburban Boston. Civil sessions handle significant commercial and personal injury litigation with standard Rule 9A exhibit procedures.
Norfolk County Superior Court
Major suburban court serving Quincy and surrounding communities. Standard exhibit exchange procedures per case management orders.
Worcester County Superior Court
Largest court in central Massachusetts. Follows standard Rule 9A procedures with eFileMA mandatory for attorneys.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Massachusetts Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours manually with Rule 9A compliance
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time for manual exhibit preparation
MA Compliance
Searchable PDFs, proper numbering, eFileMA-ready under 25 MB
Common Massachusetts Rejection Reasons
Non-Searchable PDFs
Standing Order 1-23 requires searchable PDFs. Scanned documents without OCR rejected.
Missing Table of Contents
Rule 9A requires Table of Contents when filing multiple exhibits. Include at beginning.
File Size Over 25 MB
Single documents over 25 MB or envelopes over 50 MB rejected. Split large exhibits.
Missing Tab Dividers
Rule 9A requires off-set tab dividers (paper) or page markers (electronic) between exhibits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Massachusetts Superior Court Rule 9A require?
Rule 9A requires exhibits separated by tab dividers, consecutively numbered pages, and a Table of Contents for multiple exhibits. Summary judgment exhibits must be filed as a single joint appendix assembled by the moving party.
When must exhibits be exchanged in Massachusetts?
Per Standing Order 1-88, exhibit lists and copies must be exchanged 5 business days before the final pre-trial conference. Earlier exchange may be required by case management order.
What is the difference between Fast Track and Average Track?
Fast Track cases have 16-month discovery with streamlined procedures for standard civil cases. Average Track has 36-month discovery for complex litigation including Business Litigation Session cases.
How long must exhibits be retained?
Under Rule 14, exhibits must be retained for 3 years after final disposition of the case. Parties should maintain copies for this retention period.
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