- Superior Court Rule 9A (Superior Court Standing Order 1-88, section H) (opens in a new tab)
Exhibits separated by off-set tab dividers (paper) or page markers (electronic). All pages consecutively numbered. Table of Contents required for multiple exhibits.
Source links open in a new tab.
Massachusetts Court Exhibit Requirements
Master Massachusetts exhibit requirements under Superior Court Rule 9A and Standing Order 1-88 for Superior Courts across the Commonwealth.
Keep exhibit designations, pagination, and the index consistent. ExhibitPrep stamps the whole set in minutes for review against Rule 9A, local requirements, and the case order.
Opens the tool set up for Massachusetts — plaintiff: Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Letters starting at A.
Primary sources: Rule 9A (civil motions), Standing Order 1-23 (Superior Court civil e-filing), and Standing Order 1-88.
- Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) prescribes separators and consecutive pagination for the summary-judgment joint appendix.
- The summary-judgment joint appendix requires an index under Rule 9A(b)(5)(v).
- Confirm trial-exhibit designations with the court; plaintiff-number and defendant-letter samples are not a statewide mandate.
- Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) requires summary judgment exhibits to be filed as a single joint appendix with an index, assembled by the initial moving party.
- Standing Order 1-23 sets 25 MB per document and 50 MB per envelope for covered Superior Court civil filings; searchable PDF requirements apply.
- Standing Order 1-88 addresses agreed and contested exhibit lists for the final trial conference; check the case order for timing.
- Massachusetts uses track-based case management: Fast Track discovery is due within 10 months and Average Track discovery within 24 months.
- Rule 14 requires the clerk to retain exhibits other than hospital records for three years after the trial or hearing at which they were used, unless sooner returned.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-07- E-Filing
- eFileMA (opens in a new tab)
- Size Limit
Superior Court covered civil filings: 25 MB per document / 50 MB per…
- Plaintiff
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
- Defendant
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
- Deadline
Joint list of agreed exhibits and list of contested exhibits due no…
Source links open in a new tab.
Source citations apply to the statement beside them, not the whole page. Check current court instructions and your case orders before filing.
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
Summary judgment exhibits must be filed as a single joint appendix that includes an index of the exhibits.
E-Filing
eFileMA (Superior Court Standing Order 1-23) - text documents must be searchable PDF. 25 MB single document, 50 MB envelope. No password protection.
Deadlines
Standing Order 1-88 — review final-conference exhibit lists and the case-specific schedule.
Rule 9A Motion Exhibit Requirements
Comprehensive Formatting Requirements
Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) sets requirements for the summary-judgment joint appendix:
eFileMA Specifications
- PDF format required (searchable)
- 25 MB per e-filed document
- 50 MB per envelope
- Word-processed documents should be electronically converted, not scanned
Exhibit Numbering
- Plaintiff: confirm the marking convention in the judge's order
- Defendant: confirm the marking convention in the judge's order
- Joint exhibits: confirm the marking convention in the judge's order
- Include the docket number where the court or judge requires it.
Track-Based Case Management
Check the Superior Court tracking order and the final pretrial conference order for the deadline to submit exhibit lists.
Fast Track
16
months discovery
- Fast Track deadlines under Standing Order 1-88
- Mandatory tracking deadlines set by the clerk's tracking order
- Standard civil cases
Average Track
36
months discovery
- Longer discovery period than Fast Track
- Complex litigation
- Business Litigation Session
Standing Order 1-88 Timeline
Final Trial Conference
Prepare agreed and contested exhibit lists under the applicable order
Exhibit Retention (Rule 14)
Review Rule 14 for clerk custody, return, and disposal; preserve your own records under the applicable retention policy
Major Massachusetts Courts
Suffolk County Superior Court (Boston)
Located at 3 Pemberton Square, Boston. Business Litigation Session: a Superior Court session for business and commercial disputes that benefit from individualized case management.
Business Litigation Session: session-specific procedures for complex business disputes. Check BLS standing orders for specific exhibit requirements.
Middlesex County Superior Court
Superior Court division for Middlesex County, including Cambridge. Civil sessions handle civil cases under the Superior Court's statewide rules and standing orders. Rule 9A's exhibit procedures apply to motions in Superior Court civil actions.
Norfolk County Superior Court
Superior Court division for Norfolk County. Check the assigned judge's orders for exhibit exchange procedures.
Worcester County Superior Court
Located at 225 Main Street, Worcester. Superior Court e-filing through eFileMA is permitted in designated civil case types.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Massachusetts Requirements
Time Savings
Apply consistent exhibit labels and review the prepared appendix against the applicable rule
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time for manual exhibit preparation
MA Compliance
Preserve existing PDF text; check the finished file against the receiving court’s limits
Opens the tool set up for Massachusetts — plaintiff: Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Letters starting at A.
Common Massachusetts Rejection Reasons
Non-Searchable PDFs
Standing Order 1-23 requires searchable PDFs. Scanned PDFs must be made searchable with OCR.
Omitting the Table of Contents or Exhibit Index before multiple exhibits
For the summary-judgment joint appendix, include the required index and check its references.
File Size Over 25 MB
Single documents over 25 MB or envelopes over 50 MB rejected. Keep each e-filed document under 25 MB and each envelope under 50 MB.
Omitting off-set tab dividers or page markers between exhibits
For the summary-judgment joint appendix, review Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) separators; confirm other exhibit formats with the court.
ExhibitPrep helps apply consistent labels. Review the final files and resolve searchability, size, and filing requirements separately. Prepare and review exhibits →
Take the Massachusetts Requirements With You
Get the complete Massachusetts exhibit guide as a PDF — Rule 9A tab dividers and consecutive pagination, the eFileMA 25 MB/50 MB limits (Standing Order 1-23), and the Standing Order 1-88 final-conference requirements, ready to review with your paralegal.
Free Massachusetts Exhibit Guide
Enter your email to download
Use the guide as a preparation checklist
- Check the instructions for your assigned court.
- Confirm labels, deadlines, and delivery method.
- Review the finished files before submitting.
Before you file
ExhibitPrep formats documents. It does not provide legal advice, submit filings, or determine whether evidence is admissible or a filing meets court requirements.
Some guidance has not been verified against current official sources. A citation supports only its stated claim and scope. Compare the finished PDF with current court instructions and orders in your case. Follow the filing review checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Massachusetts Superior Court Rule 9A require for exhibits?
For summary judgment, Rule 9A(b)(5)(v) requires a single joint appendix with an index, consecutive page numbering, and exhibit separators. The initial moving party assembles it with the other parties. This is a summary-judgment requirement, not a universal trial-exhibit format.
What is the Massachusetts Standing Order 1-88 exhibit deadline?
Standing Order 1-88 addresses the final trial conference, including agreed and contested exhibit lists. Check its applicable provisions and the case order. It requires the agreed and contested exhibit lists not less than five business days before the final trial conference, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
What are eFileMA size limits?
For Superior Court civil actions covered by Standing Order 1-23, the limit is 25 MB per document and 50 MB per envelope. Text documents must be searchable PDF; scanned PDFs need OCR. Other Massachusetts courts may have different limits, so confirm with the court.
What are Fast Track vs Average Track discovery differences?
The case tracking order under Standing Order 1-88 sets the applicable deadlines and may be modified by the court. Read the current order and docket rather than inferring an exhibit deadline from a general track description.
Ready to Prepare Massachusetts Court Exhibits?
Prepare consistent exhibit labels and inspect the final PDF. Scans need OCR separately; confirm the applicable filing requirements.
Opens the tool set up for Massachusetts — plaintiff: Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Letters starting at A.
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