News and Noteworthy

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  Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Announces New Commission Member and Release of Annual Report (12/4)

  First established by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2005, the Access to Justice Commission seeks to improve access to justice for people who are unable to afford an attorney for essential civil legal needs, such as cases involving housing, consumer debt, and family law. Read Full Article
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  Supreme Judicial Court Issues New Standards on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions

  BOSTON, MA -- The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today issued new Standards on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions for the guidance of judges, clerks, probation officers and other court staff in responding effectively to people in the courts who are exhibiting signs of these conditions. The new standards update and supersede the Standards on Substance Abuse that were approved by the SJC Justices in 1998. Read Full Article
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  Supreme Judicial Court Justice David A. Lowy to Retire

  BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice David A. Lowy has advised Governor Maura Healey that he will retire from the Court on February 3, 2024. Appointed by Governor Charlie Baker, Justice Lowy was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court on August 24, 2016. Read Full Article
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  Trial Court Leaders Appoint Pamerson O. Ifill as Massachusetts Probation Service Commissioner

  BOSTON, MA -- Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke and Trial Court Administrator Thomas G. Ambrosino today announced that they have appointed Deputy Commissioner Pamerson O. Ifill to serve as the next Commissioner of Probation for Massachusetts. He will begin a five-year term of office on November 27, 2023. Deputy Commissioner Ifill succeeds Commissioner Edward Dolan who was appointed in 2013 and retired earlier this year. Read Full Article
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  Supreme Judicial Court Appoints New Reporter of Decisions (11/8)

  BOSTON, MA -- The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court today announced that they have appointed Madchen (Maddie) S. Makara, Esq., as the new Reporter of Decisions for the Supreme Judicial Court, effective January 28, 2024. Attorney Makara will succeed Brian H. Redmond, Esq., who will retire as Reporter of Decisions in January. Read Full Article
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  Supreme Judicial Court Appoints Hon. Heidi E. Brieger as Chief Justice of the Trial Court

  The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court today announced the appointment of the Honorable Heidi E. Brieger as the new Chief Justice of the Trial Court pursuant to G.L. 211B, § 6, effective December 22, 2023. Judge Brieger was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court in June 2021. She succeeds Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke, who will reach the mandatory retirement age in December after serving in the position since January 2022. Read Full Article