Small claims cases are being heard at some courts, but not all. Most matters are being heard virtually, by phone or videoconference. The Probate and Family Court is open for business on family matters, including divorce, name change, child support, and more. Please see COVID-19 eviction information to learn more. Please see the Rental assistance resources video for more information on important resources available to landlords and tenants. Tenants and small landlords can get legal help and information from the Eviction Diversion Initiative. Resources about eviction are available online.
20. The Trial Court is in the process of updating the relevant information found on. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evictions is no longer in effect as of Augas the result of a United States Supreme Court opinion. Certain protections in non-payment eviction cases remain in effect in Massachusetts. No jury trials, in either criminal or civil cases, shall be conducted in Massachusetts state courts from Januuntil January 31, 2022. Please see Learn about eFiling in the Trial Court for more information.
If you are eFiling, you can pay court fees through eFileMA.
Please see how to search court dockets online and which types of cases are available to the public online for more information. You can find public case information on. You can also share COVID-19 concerns with the court using this form: Notify the Trial Court of Concerns During COVID-19.
You can contact the courts by phone or email. Be sure to check the page Courthouse closures due to COVID-19 to make sure your court is open before going in. Please see What to know before going to a courthouse during COVID-19 for more information. If you do have to go to court, there are certain things you must do, such as wear a mask and self-screen before you come. The Trial Court will provide a mask to those who do not have an acceptable mask when entering a courthouse once the Trial Court Security Department has a sufficient quantity for distribution. Court Officers will enforce the requirement to properly wear a mask for court visitors. The use of gaiters, bandanas, or face shields will not be allowed as a substitution for a mask. Employees, court users and other individuals who work in or visit a courthouse must wear masks that completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snuggly against the sides of the face with no gaps. The Trial Court mask requirement will remain in effect.
As of January 3, 2022, the Trial Court will re-introduce the use of screening questions to determine if anyone entering a courthouse, including court staff and the public, has a temperature, is feeling unwell, or has received a positive COVID-19 test, has been exposed to COVID-19, or has symptoms. The Trial Court also issued additional health screening protocols and updated information on masking in courthouses. Trial Court departments shall reduce the number of staff working in person to no more than 50% of the total number of staff at a time and should separate their staff into not less than two teams that will alternate their time working in-person and remotely as deemed necessary by the department head. Security, Facilities and ELMO shall be exempt from the 50% reduction based upon job function.Remote court operations shall be used wherever possible. Courts may continue to hold in-person proceedings in matters where a virtual proceeding is not practicable or would be inconsistent with the protection of constitutional rights.In response to the current situation in the Commonwealth with respect to COVID-19, the Supreme Judicial Court issued an order, effective on January 3, 2022, pausing all jury trials in Massachusetts state courthouses until January 31, 2022. All courts otherwise will remain open for in-person business, with a continued emphasis on conducting matters remotely whenever possible.Īlso effective on January 3, 2022, The Trial Court issued an order that outlines changes to court operations: