Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011
News from the courts
SJC issues Land Court judicial evaluation survey; Information center to open in Worcester Trial Court lobby; Revised guidelines issued for abuse prevention proceedings
The Supreme Judicial Court is asking
attorneys to respond to questionnaires evaluating the performance
of Land Court judges, starting Oct. 14.
The SJC says the evaluation program is
the best opportunity for attorneys to voice their opinions of the
members of the judiciary, noting that the full participation of the
bar is crucial to enhancing the performance and quality of the
judicial branch. It asks attorneys to take the time to complete the
questionnaire, because more responses will provide a more accurate
representation.
Attorneys will receive a
questionnaire via e-mail with a link to an evaluation website. As
required by statute, the evaluations are confidential and
anonymous. The results will be transmitted to the judge, the chief
justice of the Land Court, the chief justice of the SJC and the
chief justice of administration and management.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information center to open in
Worcester Trial Court lobby
The Trial Court Access to Justice
Initiative recently announced the opening of a public information
center at the Worcester Trial Court complex. Volunteers at the help
desk greet court users and assist them with navigating the
courthouse, obtaining basic information for filing cases, and
finding legal resources.
Judge Dina Fein, special advisor to the Trial Court for Access to
Justice Initiatives, announced that the Information Center Task
Force, under the leadership of Worcester Housing Court First
Justice Diana Horan and Boston Municipal Court General Counsel
Cynthia Robinson-Markey, has developed a plan to operate the help
desk with the assistance of volunteers. These volunteers include
staff of the court departments located at the courthouse, a retired
employee, and students from Anna Maria College. SJC Senior Attorney
Sandy Lundy, deputy advisor for the initiative, worked closely with
the Task Force in providing necessary support and back-up.
The Worcester Courthouse Information Center will be located on the
first floor beyond the security entrance on weekday mornings from
8:30 to 11 a.m.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised guidelines issued for abuse prevention proceedings
Chief Justice for Administration &
Management Robert A. Mulligan has issued the fourth edition of
Guidelines for Judicial Practice: Abuse Prevention
Proceedings, to assist judges and court personnel with the
many complex and sensitive issues that arise under G.L.
c.209A.
These guidelines, last revised in 2000, reflect a number of
substantive revisions, based on appellate case law and statutory
changes, as well as procedural changes. The revised c. 209A forms
referenced in the guidelines will be issued by Nov. 1 to be
effective on Dec. 1, 2011. The prior use of appendices also has
changed. In addition to this posting in a PDF format, the
guidelines will also later be posted as a web-based resource with
appropriate links to references and the printed copies of the
guidelines will include those referenced documents.
These major revisions were compiled
and implemented with significant assistance from the Boston
Municipal Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, and
Superior Court Departments.