Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Action Cover Sheet

MASSACHUSETTS SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET

Superior Court Rule 29 / Standing Order 1-88 (7th Amended)

FILING INFORMATION

This cover sheet must accompany every complaint or pleading that commences a civil action in the Massachusetts Superior Court. Per Superior Court Rule 29, no Clerk-Magistrate shall accept for filing any complaint or other pleading which commences a civil action unless accompanied by a completed civil action cover sheet signed by the attorney or pro se party.

Form: Superior Court Civil Action Cover Sheet (SC0001)
Governing Authority: Superior Court Rule 29; Standing Order 1-88
Filing Method: ☐ Electronic (eFileMA / Tyler Technologies) ☐ Paper Filing

PART 1: COURT AND COUNTY DESIGNATION

County Selection

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
THE SUPERIOR COURT

COUNTY OF [________________________________]

Select the appropriate county (Massachusetts has 14 counties with Superior Court divisions):

• ☐ Barnstable County (Barnstable)
• ☐ Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
• ☐ Bristol County (Taunton / Fall River / New Bedford)
• ☐ Dukes County (Edgartown)
• ☐ Essex County (Salem / Lawrence / Newburyport)
• ☐ Franklin County (Greenfield)
• ☐ Hampden County (Springfield)
• ☐ Hampshire County (Northampton)
• ☐ Middlesex County (Cambridge / Lowell / Woburn)
• ☐ Nantucket County (Nantucket)
• ☐ Norfolk County (Dedham)
• ☐ Plymouth County (Brockton / Plymouth)
• ☐ Suffolk County (Boston)
• ☐ Worcester County (Worcester / Fitchburg)

PART 2: CASE CAPTION

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
THE SUPERIOR COURT

                                                    CIVIL ACTION NO.: ________________
COUNTY OF [________________________________]        (Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),

        v.

[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

PART 3: PARTY AND COUNSEL INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s) Information

Plaintiff 1:

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Municipality ☐ Commonwealth ☐ Other: [________________]

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached sheet

Defendant(s) Information

Defendant 1:

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone (if known): [________________________________]
• Email (if known): [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Municipality ☐ Commonwealth ☐ Other: [________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable):

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached sheet

Attorney Information

Filing Attorney:

• Name: [________________________________]
• BBO Number: [________________________________]
• Firm: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Fax: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff(s) ☐ Defendant(s)

☐ Self-represented party (pro se)

PART 4: TYPE OF ACTION AND CODE NUMBER

Select ONE type of action. Enter the Code Number and Track Designation from the categories below.

Code No.: [____]
Type of Action: [________________________________]
Track Designation: [____]

A. CONTRACT / BUSINESS CASES

B. EQUITABLE REMEDIES

C. TORTS

D. REAL PROPERTY

E. ACTIONS INVOLVING COMMONWEALTH / MUNICIPALITY

F. ADMINISTRATIVE CIVIL ACTIONS

G. MISCELLANEOUS CIVIL ACTIONS

PART 5: TRACK ASSIGNMENT

The case type selected above determines the initial track assignment. The three tracks have different timetables for case events:

Assigned Track: ☐ A (Average) ☐ F (Fast) ☐ X (Accelerated)

Note: The court may reassign the track designation based on the nature and complexity of the case. Parties may request a track change by motion.

PART 6: STATEMENT OF DAMAGES (G.L. c. 212, Section 3A)

JURISDICTIONAL REQUIREMENT: The Superior Court has original jurisdiction of civil actions only if there is no reasonable likelihood that recovery by the plaintiff will be less than or equal to $50,000 (or an amount ordered by the SJC), exclusive of interest and costs.

Itemized Statement of Damages

Total Claimed Damages: $ [________________________________]
(Excluding interest and costs)

Non-Tort Cases

For contract, equity, real property, or other non-tort actions:

Amount in Controversy: $ [________________________________]

Description of Relief Sought: [________________________________]

Equitable / Non-Monetary Relief

• ☐ Injunctive relief
• ☐ Declaratory relief
• ☐ Specific performance
• ☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

PART 7: JURY CLAIM

• ☐ Jury trial claimed
• ☐ Non-jury (bench trial)
• ☐ Jury claim to be filed later

Massachusetts Jury Demand: Under Mass. R. Civ. P. 38(b), a party may demand a trial by jury by filing a written demand no later than 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue.

PART 8: RELATED ACTIONS

Are there any related actions currently pending or previously filed in any Massachusetts court?

• ☐ No related actions
• ☐ Yes -- provide the following:

PART 9: FILING FEES

Massachusetts Superior Court Filing Fees

Note: The $240.00 filing fee includes the $20.00 security fee and $15.00 surcharge mandated by G.L. c. 262. Verify current fees with the Clerk-Magistrate's office before filing. Fees may be waived upon approved Affidavit of Indigency (Supplement to Rule 3:10).

Filing Fee Paid: $ [________________________________]
Receipt Number: [________________________________]
Date Paid: [__/__/____]
Method: ☐ Cash ☐ Check ☐ Credit Card ☐ E-Filing Payment ☐ Fee Waiver

Fee Waiver

• ☐ Affidavit of Indigency filed (Supplement to Rule 3:10)
• ☐ Fee waiver previously granted -- Order Date: [__/__/____]

PART 10: ADR CERTIFICATION (SJC Rule 1:18)

Dispute Resolution Certification

Pursuant to Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:18, the undersigned certifies:

• ☐ I have provided my client with information about court-connected dispute resolution services
• ☐ I have discussed with my client the advantages and disadvantages of available dispute resolution options
• ☐ I have provided my client with the court's ADR information

ADR Preferences

• ☐ Parties are willing to participate in mediation
• ☐ Parties are willing to participate in arbitration
• ☐ Parties are willing to participate in conciliation
• ☐ Parties request referral to court-connected ADR
• ☐ ADR is not appropriate at this time -- Reason: [________________________________]

PART 11: SERVICE OF PROCESS

Method of Service (Mass. R. Civ. P. 4)

For each defendant, indicate the intended method of service:

Defendant 1: [________________________________]

• ☐ In-hand delivery by sheriff / constable (R. 4(d)(1))
• ☐ In-hand delivery by specially appointed process server
• ☐ Last and usual place of abode (R. 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (R. 4(d)(1) -- certain actions)
• ☐ Service by publication (R. 4(d)(2)) -- ☐ Court order obtained
• ☐ Service on Secretary of the Commonwealth as agent (G.L. c. 223, Section 37)
• ☐ Acceptance of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable): [________________________________]

• ☐ In-hand delivery by sheriff / constable (R. 4(d)(1))
• ☐ In-hand delivery by specially appointed process server
• ☐ Last and usual place of abode (R. 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested
• ☐ Service by publication (R. 4(d)(2))
• ☐ Acceptance of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Service Tracking

PART 12: ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

• ☐ Interpreter needed -- Language: [________________________________]
• ☐ ADA accommodation needed -- Describe: [________________________________]
• ☐ No accommodations needed

PART 13: ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned, certify under the penalties of perjury that:

1. The information on this cover sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge
2. There is no reasonable likelihood that recovery in this action will be less than or equal to $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs (G.L. c. 212, Section 3A)
3. I have complied with the ADR certification requirements of SJC Rule 1:18
4. I have reviewed the applicable Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
Signature of Attorney / Pro Se Party

[________________________________]
Printed Name

BBO Number: [________________]
Attorney for: [________________________________]
Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

PART 14: FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Electronic Filing (eFileMA)

1. E-Filing Portal: Access eFileMA at https://www.efilema.com/ (powered by Tyler Technologies)
2. Mandatory E-Filing: E-filing is permitted in civil actions in all 14 counties. Check with the specific Superior Court for mandatory e-filing requirements
3. Registration: Create an account at eFileMA.com using your BBO number
4. Accepted Case Types: Contract/business disputes, torts, equitable remedies, real property, actions involving the Commonwealth or municipality, administrative actions, and miscellaneous civil
5. Payment: Filing fees are payable through the e-filing portal via credit card or electronic check
6. Service Fee: A convenience fee may be charged for electronic payment

Paper Filing

1. File the original cover sheet and complaint with the Clerk-Magistrate
2. Include the correct filing fee ($240.00 per plaintiff for standard civil actions)
3. Include a properly completed Statement of Damages (G.L. c. 212, Section 3A)
4. Provide copies for all parties to be served
5. Include summons for each defendant

Required Documents for Filing

• ☐ Civil Action Cover Sheet (completed and signed)
• ☐ Complaint / Petition
• ☐ Statement of Damages (if personal injury / tort)
• ☐ Summons (for each defendant)
• ☐ SJC Rule 1:18 ADR Certification (included on cover sheet)
• ☐ Affidavit of Indigency (if fee waiver requested)
• ☐ Certificate of Service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES

Massachusetts-Specific Practice Considerations

1. Jurisdictional Threshold: The Superior Court has jurisdiction only if there is no reasonable likelihood that recovery will be $50,000 or less (G.L. c. 212, Section 3A). If a case belongs in District Court, the Superior Court may transfer it.

2. District Court vs. Superior Court: Cases with amounts up to $50,000 should be filed in District Court or the Boston Municipal Court. Cases exceeding $50,000 are filed in Superior Court.

3. Business Litigation Session (Suffolk County): Complex business disputes in Suffolk County may be assigned to the Business Litigation Session (BLS), which handles cases involving corporate governance, securities, trade secrets, and other business matters.

4. Track Assignment Impact: Track A cases (24 months to trial) include complex torts, business disputes, and construction cases. Track F cases (14 months to trial) include motor vehicle cases, simple contracts, and smaller disputes. Track X cases are expedited (abuse prevention, harassment).

5. Service of Process Deadline: Under Mass. R. Civ. P. 4(j), if service is not made within 90 days after filing the complaint, the court shall dismiss the action without prejudice or order service within a specified time.

6. Responsive Pleading: The defendant has 20 days after service to file an answer or responsive motion (Mass. R. Civ. P. 12(a)).

7. Limitations Periods (Common):
   - Contract: 6 years (G.L. c. 260, Section 2)
   - Tort / Personal injury: 3 years (G.L. c. 260, Section 2A)
   - Medical malpractice: 3 years from discovery, 7-year repose (G.L. c. 260, Section 4)
   - Property damage: 3 years (G.L. c. 260, Section 2A)
   - Products liability: 3 years (G.L. c. 260, Section 2A)
   - Wrongful death: 3 years (G.L. c. 229, Section 2)

8. Medical Malpractice Tribunal: Before a medical malpractice case proceeds to discovery, it must be presented to a tribunal under G.L. c. 231, Section 60B, to determine if the evidence is sufficient to raise a legitimate question of liability.

9. Offer of Judgment: Under Mass. R. Civ. P. 68, a party may serve an offer of judgment that may shift costs if the final judgment is not more favorable than the offer.

10. Modified Comparative Negligence: Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence -- a plaintiff's recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, and recovery is barred if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault (G.L. c. 231, Section 85).

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Superior Court Rule 29: https://www.mass.gov/superior-court-rules/superior-court-rule-29-cover-sheet-statement-as-to-damages
• Standing Order 1-88 (Civil Action Cover Sheet): https://www.mass.gov/doc/superior-court-standing-order-1-88-civil-action-cover-sheet-7th-amended/download
• Civil Action Cover Sheet Form (SC0001): https://courtforms.jud.state.ma.us/publicforms/SC0001
• G.L. c. 212, Section 3A: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleI/Chapter212/Section3A
• SJC Rule 1:18 (Dispute Resolution): https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-118-uniform-rules-on-dispute-resolution
• Superior Court Filing Fees: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/superior-court-filing-fees
• eFileMA Portal: https://www.efilema.com/