# Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 7: Rule 7. Counsel

> Massachusetts · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R7

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 7
- **Heading:** Rule 7. Counsel
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Massachusetts Court Rules / Massachusetts Trial Court Rules / uniform-rules-for-permanency-hearings / Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 7

## Text

(a) Right to counsel
All parties have the right to be represented by counsel at the permanency hearing.

(b) Attendance of counsel
All counsel of record shall attend the permanency hearing. Failure of counsel to attend, without good cause, shall not require that the hearing be postponed unless the interests of justice so require.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 1 Rule 1. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R1.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 2 Rule 2. Scope of Rules and Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R2.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 3 Rule 3. Scheduling the permanency hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R3.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 4 Rule 4. Permanency reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R4.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 5 Rule 5. Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R5.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 6 Rule 6. Submission of report and response or objections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R6.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 7 Rule 7. Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R7.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 8 Rule 8. The permanency hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R8.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 9 Rule 9. Orders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R9.md)
- [Mass. Trial Ct. Rule 10 Rule 10. Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R10.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MA_MTCR_uniform_rules_for_permanency_hearings_R7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.