We are continuing to meet with clients both in person with strict safety protocols in place as well as remotely via zoom and other technologies.  Whichever you feel more comfortable with, PSRB can help.

What’s happening now at PSRB

Lawyers and staff are handling problems and providing client services in personal and remotely via zoom and other technologies.  

Lawyers and staff are also working in personal and remotely to perform a huge range of tasks to serve you. We have technology for both computers and telephones which enable us to have virtual access to our office systems securely. We are able to do claim handling, coordination of benefits and even litigation support from any location, all with careful regard to confidentiality.

We are committed to do all we can to continue to be of service to you in these dire times.

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Although courthouses physically reopen on July 13th, all courts will still conduct most business virtually -- by telephone, videoconference and email. If you must go to the courthouse, here is what you should know.

You may go to a courthouse to:

• attend in-person court proceedings
• conduct in-person business with a clerk's, register's, or recorder's office
• meet with a probation officer or probation staff person; or
• conduct business at other offices that are open to the public and located in a courthouse.

You should self-screen before coming to court

• If you have a cough or fever, or have been exposed to someone who is COVID-positive or is presumed to be COVID positive, please do not go to the courthouse.
• You may want to make an appointment to facilitate your visit
• You may bring your cell phone or electronic device to all courthouses
• Courts may provide a drop-box in a secure and accessible location at the courthouse entrance to deliver pleadings or documents for filing
• When you arrive, you will be asked a short series of health screening questions
• You must wear a mask at all times in the courthouse and observe social distancing; any accommodation requested exception for health reasons related to the wearing of a mask or face covering will be referred to the court’s ADA coordinator. It is suggested that you contact the court in advance to discuss such a request.
• The number of people in a courthouse, or in a specific area of the courthouse, will be limited to ensure social distancing. You may need to wait in another area, if a clerk’s office has reached capacity.
• Trial Court cleaning protocols comply with CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities.

If you have any questions, please call or email the court directly. Or call the Trial Court Help Line at 833-91-COURT from 8:30-4:30;  Spanish & Portuguese Interpreters are available

BOSTON, MA — The Supreme Judicial Court today issued an updated order regarding public access to Massachusetts state courthouses and court facilities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order will go into effect July 13, 2020.

The SJC outlined that courthouses will physically reopen to the public for limited purposes, including some in-person proceedings, on July 13, 2020, but courts will continue to conduct most business virtually. The number of in-person proceedings will further expand during a second phase beginning on August 10, 2020.

The order issued today applies to (a) litigants, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, law enforcement personnel, contractors, vendors, media, and other members of the public when in or seeking entry to a Massachusetts state courthouse or other state court facility, including a probation office or a building that is temporarily being used for court proceedings (courthouse); and (b) non-court personnel whose place of work is in a courthouse (e.g., employees of a Registry of Deeds or the Social Law Library) whenever they are in the courthouse but outside of their immediate place of work.

When courthouses reopen on July 13, entry will be limited to persons attending in-person proceedings, persons conducting business with a clerk’s, register’s, or recorder’s office, persons meeting with probation, and persons conducting business at other open offices in the courthouses. Persons seeking to enter will be screened to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The order outlines a specific screening protocol for those who wish to enter a courthouse.

Those prohibited from going into court facilities will include people who are not wearing face coverings, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, persons experiencing symptoms related to the virus within the previous three days and people waiting for coronavirus test results after showing symptoms or coming into contact with someone who has the disease.

Temperature checks will be applied to all wishing to enter the court facilities.  If a temperature of 100 degrees or higher is registered, that person will not be allowed to enter.

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The Supreme Judicial Court has issued an updated order about the operation of courts.  All civil and criminal cases in state court are now postponed until at least June 1st and the courthouses are to remain closed to the public until then.

However, PSRB lawyers and staff continue to work remotely to perform a wide range of tasks to serve you.  With secure, virtual access to our office systems. We are able to handle claims, coordinate benefits and provide support from any location.

Call our offices today for more info. (800)785-5399.

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For up to date information regarding the list of essential businesses, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services?n

The Baker-Polito Administration announced further action to support ratepayers during the COVID-19 outbreak
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The Baker-Polito Administration today announced further action to support ratepayers during the COVID-19 outbreak, directing the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to issue an Order prohibiting investor-owned utility companies from shutting off gas, electric, and water utility service to any customers for failure to pay a bill or a portion of a bill until the State of Emergency is lifted or the DPU determines otherwise.

The announcement builds upon the DPU’s March 13 moratorium requesting utility companies refrain from shutting off gas and electric service to residents across the Commonwealth. The new order will expand the moratorium to include any investor-owned utility customers, including industrial, commercial, and small business customers, during the State of Emergency.

“Protecting the health and safety of Massachusetts residents remains the Baker-Polito Administration’s highest priority, and this order will ensure the continued availability of gas, electric, and water service to all ratepayers during the state of emergency,”  said DPU Chairman Matthew Nelson. “Today’s action will also protect residents and businesses from added economic pressure during these difficult and uncertain times.”

The Order also prohibits investor-owned utility companies from sending communications that threaten to shut off gas, electric, or water service to any of their customers for failure to pay a bill or any portion of a bill the Companies issued to a customer. Any company that fails to comply with these orders may be assessed penalties of up to $1 million per violation.

Additionally, on March 13, the DPU formally requested that that residential competitive electricity suppliers and licensed electricity brokers cease door-to-door marketing activities to ensure that proper risk management protocols have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, prioritizing the health and safety of both consumers and any agents conducting marketing efforts.