Massachusetts Court System

| Massachusetts Court System |

Memo

To: | Massachusetts Court |

From: | Eliza Lesperance |

cc: | Shannon Allen |

Date: | May 26, 2014 |

Re: | The Legal System and ADR Analysis |

| |

Dear Massachusetts Court,

The courts that are higher on the charts for cases could be more expensive for all the parties involved in the case. This memo is will discuss a business dispute on the state level. The memo will include how the case would process throughout the various phases in a state courts system. Most cases never make it to trail, it is also important to consider alternative methods of dispute resolution. The memo will discuss the differences in cost and benefits of going through traditional litigation and pursing ADR in the case.

The court in the State of Massachusetts includes the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Executive Office of the Trial Court, and the seven Trial Court departments. The Governor and the elected Governor’s Council appoints all Massachusetts judges. The judges hold the office until the retirement at the age of 70.

The Supreme Judicial Courts was originally called the Superior Court of Judicature established in 1692. It is believed to be the oldest appellate court in the Western Hemisphere. After the Massachusetts Constitution, the name was changed to Supreme Judicial Court. The Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court.

The Appeals Court was established in 1972. The court is general jurisdiction. The Appeals Court has several departments of the Trail court. Some Trial Courts are entered initially in the Appeals Courts. Some are transferred directly to the Supreme Judicial Court. The Appeals Court decides a majority.

The Executive Office of the Trial court was established to facilitate communication and enable joint leadership of the Trail Court. The Executive office includes the Office of Court Management and Office of the Chief Justice of Trial Courts. The office supports operations of Probations, Jury, and...