Time

(a) Computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by order of court, or by any applicable statute or rule, the day of the act, event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this rule and in Rule 77(c), “legal holiday” includes those days specified in Mass. G.L. c. 4, § 7 and any other day appointed as a holiday by the President or the Congress of the United States or designated by the laws of the Commonwealth.

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(b) Enlargement. When by these rules or by a notice given thereunder or by order or rule of court an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the court for cause shown may at any time in its discretion (1) with or without motion or notice order the period enlarged if request therefor is made before the expiration of the period originally prescribed or as extended by a previous order; or (2) upon motion made after the expiration of the specified period permit the act to be done where the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect; or (3) permit the act to be done by stipulation of the parties; but it may not extend the time for taking any action under Rules 50(b), 52(b), 59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b), except to the extent and under the conditions stated in them.

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(c) For Motions-Affidavits-Proposed Orders. A written motion, other than one which may be heard ex parte, and notice of the hearing thereof shall be served not later than seven (7) days before the time specified for the hearing, unless a different period is fixed by these rules or by order of the court. Such an order may be made on ex parte application when an emergency justifies the same. An application for ex parte relief from the seven (7) day notice requirement shall be by motion and supported by affidavit setting forth the nature of the emergency. On allowance of the motion, the court shall make a written finding that the emergency exists and setting forth the nature of the emergency. Whenever a motion is supported by a memorandum or affidavit, the memorandum or affidavit shall be served with the motion; and except as provided in Rule 59(c), opposing memoranda or affidavits must be served not later than one (1) business day before the hearing, unless the court permits them to be served at some other time. Every motion shall be accompanied by a proposed order, which shall be served with the motion. The proposed order shall set forth in detailed itemized paragraphs the relief sought from the court. The proposed order should not be docketed or included in the permanent file if the order is not adopted by the court and may be destroyed after the hearing on the motion. The service and the content of all motions, affidavits, and supporting papers shall be subject to the sanctions of Rule 11 of these rules.

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(d) Additional Time After Service by Mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other papers upon him and the notice or paper is served upon him by mail, 3 days shall be added to the prescribed period.