Massachusetts cases are reported in the North Eastern Reporter series (N.E., N.E.2d, N.E.3d). Massachusetts still publishes official reporters — Massachusetts Reports (Mass.) for the Supreme Judicial Court and Massachusetts Appeals Court Reports (Mass. App. Ct.) for the Appeals Court. Under Bluebook Table T1, cite Massachusetts cases to the North Eastern Reporter.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the oldest appellate court in continuous existence in the Western Hemisphere (established in 1692). It is abbreviated "Mass." in Bluebook citations. The Massachusetts Appeals Court, created in 1972, is abbreviated "Mass. App. Ct."
Massachusetts has a rich legal history, and many landmark decisions from the SJC — including early constitutional and tort law cases — are frequently cited in law school courses. When citing older cases reported in Mass. Reports before the North Eastern Reporter existed, the official reporter citation may be the only available source.
| Court | Bluebook Abbreviation | Reporter |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Judicial Court | Mass. | N.E.3d (N.E.2d) |
| Appeals Court | Mass. App. Ct. | N.E.3d |
Supreme Judicial Court
Commonwealth v. Carter, 115 N.E.3d 559 (Mass. 2019)
Appeals Court
Doe v. Roe, 958 N.E.2d 872 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011)
SJC (Landmark)
Goodridge v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 798 N.E.2d 941 (Mass. 2003)
Cite to the North Eastern Reporter (N.E.3d for recent cases) under Bluebook rules.
The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the court of last resort. The Appeals Court is the intermediate appellate court.
For cases predating the North Eastern Reporter, cite to Massachusetts Reports (Mass.) as the only available source. For all modern cases, cite to N.E.2d or N.E.3d.
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Explore Bluebook citation guides for other Northeast states.
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