General Civil Case Cover Sheet
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
TRIAL COURT – SUPERIOR COURT DEPARTMENT
GENERAL CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET
(Required by Mass. R. Civ. P. 8.1)
I. COURT & CASE IDENTIFICATION
| County: | [___] | Docket No.: | (To be assigned by Clerk) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
II. CAPTION
| Plaintiff(s): | [___] | v. | Defendant(s): | [___] |
III. PARTY INFORMATION
| Party | Address (City/State/ZIP) | Telephone | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [___] | Plaintiff | [___] | [ ] | [ ] |
| [___] | Defendant | [___] | [ ] | [ ] |
| [___] | Additional Parties (attach Schedule 1 if necessary) |
Counsel / Self-Represented Litigant
| Name | Firm (if any) | B.B.O. No. | Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Attorney Name] | [Firm] | [######] | [___] | [ ] | [ ] |
IV. CASE CATEGORY & TRACK DESIGNATION (One category only)
| Code | Category Description | Track (A–F) |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | [Select ONE description from official list—e.g., “A01 – Services, Labor & Materials”] | [A/B/C/D/E/F] |
V. STATEMENT OF DAMAGES (Rule 8.1(b))
- If this action includes any claim for money damages, state the amount reasonably believed to be recoverable EXCLUSIVE of interest and costs:
$ ☐
- If the plaintiff cannot in good faith determine a specific amount, check below:
☐ Plaintiff is unable to determine the amount of money damages at this time.
VI. RELATED ACTIONS & CONSOLIDATION
-
Are there related or companion cases pending in any Massachusetts court?
☐ Yes ☐ No -
If “Yes,” list docket number(s), court(s), and case name(s):
☐ -
Consolidation sought? ☐ Yes ☐ No
VII. JURY DEMAND
☐ Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
☐ No jury trial demanded at this time.
VIII. FILING FEE DATA
| Basis | Amount (attach check or Money Order payable to “Clerk, Superior Court”) |
|---|---|
| G.L. c. 262, § 4 filing fee (most civil actions) | $ ☐ |
| Surcharge (if applicable) | $ ☐ |
| Total | $ ☐ |
IX. COUNSEL CERTIFICATION (Rule 8.1(c))
I certify that I have complied with the requirements of Rule 5 of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Rules of Professional Conduct, including providing my client(s) with a copy of this pleading and advising them of the obligations set forth in Mass. R. Civ. P. 11.
| Date | Signature of Attorney / Self-Represented Party |
|---|---|
| [___] | ____________________________________________ |
Printed Name: [___]
X. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING & FILING
1. Purpose
Mass. R. Civ. P. 8.1 requires this Cover Sheet to assist the Clerk in docketing, assigning a judicial track, and assessing filing fees. Failure to file concurrently with the complaint may result in administrative rejection or delayed processing.
2. Selecting the Proper Case Category
a. Review the official Trial Court list of civil action codes (rev. 6/17).
b. Match the primary theory of relief to the closest description.
c. Use Track F (“intra-court appeals”) only for statutory appeals specifically authorized to be filed in the Superior Court.
3. Statement of Damages
Provide a good-faith figure. If multiple plaintiffs, state the aggregate claimed damages unless they must be itemized by statute.
4. Filing Fees
Consult G.L. c. 262, § 4, and any standing orders for current amounts. Include an additional $15 surcharge for the Massachusetts General Fund when required.
5. Service
The Cover Sheet itself is not served with the summons unless the defendant requests it in discovery. Maintain a copy for your file.
6. Amendments
If the nature of the case changes (e.g., amended complaint re-categorizes the action), file an Amended Cover Sheet within 30 days together with any additional fee.
End of Template
About This Template
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: May 2026