Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012
News from the courts
Private Counsel Compensation Hearings; SJC Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure Invites Comments on Proposed Amendments to Rule 4
Private Counsel Compensation
Hearings
Pursuant to M.G.L. ch. 211D, § 11
(Establishment and Review of Compensation Rates) the Committee for
Public Counsel Services will be holding hearings in order to
solicit input on the current rates of compensation for attorneys
who accept appointments to represent indigent persons. All persons
who accept these appointments are invited to attend and to provide
input on this issue.
April 5, 2012, 4:30-6:30
p.m.
Taunton Superior Court, 9 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Taunton,
MA
April 12, 2012, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Salem Superior Court, 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA
Written Testimony may be emailed to
Denise Simonini at [e-mail dsimonini]. Please include subject line:
"Public Compensation Hearing"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SJC Standing Advisory Committee on
the Rules of Civil Procedure Invites Comments on Proposed
Amendments to Rule 4 of the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate
Procedure
The Supreme Judicial Court 's Standing Advisory Committee on the
Rules of Civil Procedure invites comments on a proposed amendment
to Mass. R. A. P. 4(a) dealing with post judgment motions. The
proposed amendment addresses the motions that toll the time period
for appeals. The amended section states that motions to alter or
amend judgment under Rule 59 or motions for relief from judgment,
however titled, would stay the time for taking an appeal as long as
the motions are served within 10 days after entry of judgment. The
amendment makes clear that the substance and not the title of the
motion should control. As stated in the Reporter's Notes, "a
post-judgment motion seeking to correct an error of law, whether
titled as a motion to alter, amend, or vacate, for relief from
judgment, or for reconsideration, if served within 10 days, will
extend the running of the time period to file a notice of
appeal."
The Committee solicits and welcomes comments from the bar
prior to presenting its recommendation to the Rules Committee of
the Supreme Judicial Court. Comments should be directed to
Christine Burak, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, One
Pemberton Square, Boston 02108 or to [e-mail christine.burak] on or before April
27.
Click here to view the proposed amendments to
Rule 4.