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On July 7, 2025, the Massachusetts appellate practice community was abuzz with news of significant changes that will impact the way attorneys handle appeals in the state. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) announced a series of amendments to the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure, aimed at streamlining the appellate process and improving access to justice for all litigants.One of the key changes introduced by the SJC is the adoption of electronic filing for all appellate briefs and other court documents. Starting on September 1, 2025, attorneys will be required to submit all appellate filings electronically through the Massachusetts Appeals Court's online portal. This move is expected to reduce the administrative burden on court staff and improve efficiency in processing appeals.In addition to electronic filing, the SJC also announced changes to the rules governing the length and formatting of appellate briefs. Under the new rules, attorneys will be limited to a maximum of 20,000 words for their principal briefs and 10,000 words for reply briefs. This reduction in word limits is intended to encourage attorneys to focus on presenting their strongest arguments concisely, rather than overwhelming the court with lengthy, unfocused briefs.Another noteworthy change announced by the SJC is the establishment of a new expedited appellate review process for certain types of cases. Under this new process, parties will have the option to request expedited consideration of their appeals in cases involving urgent legal issues or where a delay in resolution would cause significant harm. The SJC will have the discretion to expedite these cases, leading to faster resolutions and increased access to justice for litigants.Overall, the changes announced by the SJC are expected to have a positive impact on the Massachusetts appellate practice community, making the appellate process more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly. Attorneys are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new rules and procedures in order to navigate the appellate process effectively and advocate for their clients' interests.