Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Authorizes Email Service Under Rule
5 During Covid-19 Pandemic
Citing the public health emergency created by the Covid-19/Coronavirus
pandemic, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has authorized service
of most pleadings, discovery and motions by email, effective March 30,
2020. The Order does not affect other rules addressing service including,
but are not limited to, Mass. R. Civ. P. 4 (summons and complaint), 4.1
(attachment), 4.2 (trustee process), 14 (third-party complaint), 45 (subpoenas),
and 65.3 (proceedings for civil contempt). A copy of the order can be read
here. The Court has also authorized electronic signing of judgments and other
court orders by Judges and Clerks pursuant to an
Order entered on March 27, 2020.