Form and Format Requirements for a Massachusetts Motion for Summary Judgment

Updated August 25, 2020

Massachusetts Superior Court Rule 9A sets forth detailed requirements governing the format of summary judgment documents.

Separate memorandum.  A motion for summary judgment must be accompanied by a separate memorandum of law “stating the reasons, including supporting authorities, that the motion should be granted.”  Rule 9A(a)(1).

Format.  All summary judgment papers (motions, memoranda, oppositions, etc.), except for exhibits, must be filed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, must be typed in at least 12-point type and must be double spaced.  Although the title of the case, footnotes and quotations may be single spaced, they still must be in 12-point type.

Titles.  The title of each document must appear on the first page thereof.

Length.  Memoranda of law supporting or opposing the motion and the moving party’s Statement of Material Facts are limited to 20 pages unless leave of court is obtained.  Reply memoranda are limited to 5 pages.  The addendum is not counted towards the 20-page limit for a memorandum.  The length limits do not apply to the Joint Appendix of Exhibits.  Leave of court to file a surreply or to exceed length limits may be obtained as provided in Rule 9A(a)(6), and any expanded page limit allowed by the court will apply to all parties.  The title of any surreply or memorandum exceeding 20 pages must note the date on which leave was allowed.  Id.

Email addresses.  A party or attorney who has an email address must include the address on all papers filed.  Rule 9A(a)(5)(v).

Certification. All summary judgment motions must include the certificate required by Rule 9C(a), attesting that the parties conferred in a good faith effort to narrow areas of disagreement.  Rule 9A(a)(8).

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