Rule 11.Appearances and Pleadings
Part III. Pleadings and Motions · Last amended May 1, 2010 · Last verified September 4, 2026
Full Text of Rule 11
Rule History
Amended March 5, 2010, effective May 1, 2010.
Reporter’s Notes
Reporter's Notes (2010) Rule 11(a) has been amended to require attorneys and unrepresented parties to include their e-mail addresses, if any, on pleadings. The requirement of e-mail addresses already exists in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Rule 11(a), as amended in 2007) and in the Rules of the Superior Court (Rule 9A(6)), effective March 2, 2009).
The Advisory Committee Notes to the 2007 amendment to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure state that "[p]roviding an e-mail address is useful, but does not of itself signify consent to filing or service by e-mail." Likewise, the 2010 amendment to Rule 11(a) "does not of itself signify consent to filing or service by e-mail" in civil actions in Massachusetts.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 11 does four jobs: signing, appearing, withdrawing, and keeping the docket current.
Signing, and what the signature certifies
Every pleading of a represented party is signed in the individual name of at least one attorney admitted in Massachusetts, with address, telephone number, and e-mail address if any — added by the 2010 amendment. A self-represented party signs and gives the same details. Pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by affidavit unless a rule or statute says so.
The signature of an attorney certifies three things: that the attorney has read the pleading; that to the best of the attorney's knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay. An unsigned pleading, or one signed with intent to defeat the rule, may be stricken and the action may proceed as though it had not been filed. Wilful violation may draw disciplinary action, as may inserting scandalous or indecent matter.
The Reporter's Note for 2010 is careful about the e-mail requirement: providing an address does not of itself signify consent to filing or service by e-mail.
Appearances
Under (b), filing any pleading, motion or other paper is itself an appearance by the attorney who signs it unless the paper says otherwise; an appearance may also be entered by filing a notice with name, address and telephone number; and no appearance of itself constitutes a general appearance.
Withdrawal
Subsection (c) lets an attorney withdraw without leave of court by filing written notice with proof of service on the client and all other parties — but only if all three conditions hold: successor counsel's appearance accompanies the notice, no motions are pending, and no trial date has been set. In any other circumstance, leave of court on motion and notice is required.
Subsection (d) requires notice to the court and every other party whenever an attorney ceases to act, a substitute or additional attorney appears, a party begins or stops appearing without counsel, or an address or telephone number changes. Until that notice, the court, parties and attorneys may rely on action by, and notice to, the attorney previously appearing at the address previously entered.
Subsection (e) allows a verification or affidavit to be made by the party or by a person having knowledge of the facts on the party's behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Massachusetts attorney have to put an e-mail address on pleadings?
Rule 11(a) requires the address, telephone number, and e-mail address if any, for attorneys and for self-represented parties. The Reporter's Note for the 2010 amendment states that providing an e-mail address does not of itself signify consent to filing or service by e-mail.
When can an attorney withdraw without leave of court?
Under Rule 11(c), only when all three conditions are met: the notice of withdrawal is accompanied by the appearance of successor counsel, no motions are then pending before the court, and no trial date has been set. Otherwise leave of court on motion and notice must be obtained.
What does signing a pleading certify?
That the attorney has read it; that to the best of the attorney's knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not interposed for delay.
Is filing a motion an appearance?
Rule 11(b)(1) provides that filing any pleading, motion or other paper constitutes an appearance by the attorney who signs it, unless the paper states otherwise. Rule 11(b)(3) adds that no appearance shall of itself constitute a general appearance.
What happens to an unsigned pleading?
Rule 11(a) provides that if a pleading is not signed, or is signed with intent to defeat the purpose of the rule, it may be stricken and the action may proceed as though the pleading had not been filed.