The latest edition of the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence is now available. The 2026 edition adds new Section 1121 on parol evidence, providing convenient access to summaries of legal doctrines closely related to evidentiary issues. It also includes updated material on substitute expert testimony and proving the absence of official records, reflecting recent decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court.
Prepared annually by the Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law (chaired by Appeals Court Justice Gregory I. Massing), the Guide was first published in 2008 and serves as a comprehensive statement of evidence law as applied in the courts of the Commonwealth. It reflects governing principles drawn from the Federal and State Constitutions, the General Laws, the common law, and the rules of court. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Committee for its dedication over the past year in producing this indispensable resource.
A complimentary copy has been mailed to all sitting Massachusetts judges. To purchase the new edition, please visit this link.