Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure
Current through January 1, 2026
Part I · Scope of Rules — One Form of Action
Part II · Commencement of Action; Service of Process
Part III · Pleadings and Motions
- 7 Pleadings Allowed: Form of Motions
- 8 General Rules of Pleading
- 8.1 Special Requirements for Certain Consumer Debts Deadlines
- 9 Pleading Special Matters
- 10 Form of Pleadings
- 11 Appearances and Pleadings
- 12 Defenses and Objections - When and How Presented - By Deadlines
- 13 Counterclaim and Cross-Claim
- 14 Third-Party Practice Deadlines
- 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings Deadlines
- 16 Pre-Trial Procedure: Formulating Issues
- 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant: Capacity
- 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies
- 19 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication
- 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties
- 21 Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties
- 22 Interpleader
- 23 Class Actions Deadlines
- 23.1 Derivative Actions by Shareholders
- 23.2 Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
- 24 Intervention
- 25 Substitution of Parties Deadlines
Part V · Depositions and Discovery
- 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery Deadlines
- 27 Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal Deadlines
- 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
- 29 Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
- 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination Deadlines
- 31 Depositions of Witnesses Upon Written Questions Deadlines
- 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings Deadlines
- 33 Interrogatories to Parties Deadlines
- 34 Producing Documents, Electronically Stored Information, Deadlines
- 35 Physical and Mental Examination of Persons
- 36 Requests for Admission Deadlines
- 37 Failure to Make Discovery: Sanctions
Part VI · Trials
- 38 Jury Trial of Right Deadlines
- 39 Trial by Jury or by the Court
- 40 Assignment of Cases for Trial: Continuances
- 41 Dismissal of Actions Deadlines
- 42 Consolidation: Separate Trials
- 43 Evidence
- 44 Proof of Official Records
- 44.1 Determination of Foreign Law
- 45 Subpoena Deadlines
- 46 Exceptions Unnecessary
- 47 Jurors
- 48 Number of Jurors -- Majority Verdict
- 49 Special Verdicts and Interrogatories
- 50 Motion for a Directed Verdict and for Judgment Deadlines
- 51 Argument: Instructions to Jury
- 52 Findings by the Court Deadlines
- 53 Masters Deadlines
Part VII · Judgment
- 54 Judgments: Costs Deadlines
- 55 Default Deadlines
- 55.1 Special Requirements for Defaults and Default Judgments Deadlines
- 56 Summary Judgment Deadlines
- 57 Declaratory Judgment
- 58 Entry of Judgment
- 59 New Trials: Amendment of Judgments Deadlines
- 60 Relief from Judgment or Order Deadlines
- 61 Harmless Error
- 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment Deadlines
- 63 Unavailability of a Judge; Receipt of Verdict
Part VIII · Provisional and Final Remedies
- 64 Report of Case
- 65 Injunctions Deadlines
- 65.1 Security: Proceedings Against Sureties
- 65.2 Redelivery of Goods or Chattels
- 65.3 Proceedings for Civil Contempt Deadlines
- 66 Receivers Deadlines
- 67 Deposit in Court
- 68 Offer of Judgment Deadlines
- 69 Execution
- 70 Judgment for Specific Acts: Vesting Title
- 71 Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties
- 72 Probate Accounts [Repealed]