July 1, 2020
 
The SJC (the “Court”) has issued a Third Updated Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic effective July 1, 2020 (the “Order”), repealing and replacing the Second Updated Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic issued on May 26, 2020 (the “May 26 Order”).
 
Courthouses will physically reopen to the public for certain limited purposes on July 13, 2020 as set forth in the Order. On July 13, 2020, all court clerks’, registers’ and recorders’ offices will physically reopen to the public to conduct court business. In order to continue to limit the number of persons entering courthouses, clerks’, registers’ and recorders’ offices will still endeavor to conduct business virtually to the extent possible. Please refer to the Order for specific procedures and protocols relative to public access under the Order. You should also always verify the requirements of any courthouse, clerks’, registers’ and/or recorders’ office with which you conduct business as procedures frequently change.
 
LAND COURT COMPLIES WITH SJC ORDER
 
Please click here for a full copy of Land Court Standing Order 7-20: Updated Emergency Measures in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak adopted on June 24, 2020, effective July 1, 2020 (the “Updated Land Court Order”) repealing and replacing Land Court Standing Order 6-20: Updated & Restated Emergency Measures in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak, issued on May 27, 2020, and made effective June 1, 2020. The Updated Land Court Order outlines procedures for the reopening of the Land Court to in-person access by the public for certain limited purposes as set forth in the Updated Land Court Order. The Land Court Recorder may establish protocols for in-person access to the Land Court’s Recorder’s Office at the Suffolk County Courthouse by the public which will be published to the Land Court’s webpage and the judiciary’s COVID-19 webpage.
  
SJC ORDER LIFTS TOLLING OF SOL
 
All civil statutes of limitation that were tolled under prior SJC Orders from March 17, 2020 through June 30, 2020, including but not limited to the May 26 Order, will not be tolled any further unless there is a new surge in COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth and the SJC determines that a new or extended period of tolling is necessary. Accordingly, if your title examination discloses a lien that is due to expire between March 16, 2020 and July 1, 2020, please contact one of the Massachusetts Underwriters for assistance. 
  
The Court may issue further Orders regarding these matters as necessary to address circumstances arising from this pandemic. The Order is effective July 1, 2020 and shall remain in effect until further order of the Court. 
 
SOME REGISTRIES CLOSED ON JULY 3rd IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY
 
Please note that as the 4 th of July falls on a Saturday this year, certain Registries will be observing the holiday on Friday, July 3 rd . Norfolk, Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes County Registries of Deeds will be closed on that day. No land documents will be recorded.  Please plan accordingly. 
   
CATIC will continue to monitor the situation and may send out revisions to this notification as circumstances warrant. As always, our staff is ready to help you in any way that we can. Please click here for contact information.  

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Please continue to check out our dedicated webpage for COVID-19 information and guidance, on a regular basis. We will be updating the material as we learn of new developments.