Training Schedule

Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)

Fall 2026 CRA only Certification Training:

Dates to be announced.

Care and Protection certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $6,216.00 (beginning August 1, 2026)

Fall 2026 Trial Panel Certification Training:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Orientation — Zoom
  • Monday, September 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
  • Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
  • Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
  • Monday, September 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.— In Person
  • Thursday, October 1, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
  • October 27, 28 & 29, 2026, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – In Person Mock Hearings (participants will be assigned just one day for the mock hearing)


Applications for the Fall 2026 Training are preferred by the July 27, 2026, priority deadline.

Winter/Spring 2028 Guardianship Panel Certification:

Next Guardianship Certification Training to be held in 2028. Dates to be announced.

Appellate Panel Certification Training:

Next CAFL Appeals Certification Training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.

Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD)

Open to experienced trial attorneys only

If you have any questions about the necessary qualifications, please contact Joe Robinson, Trial Panel Director, MHLD: [email protected]

MHLD Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training – Civil Commitment and/or Guardianship

Next MHLD Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training to be held in Spring of 2027. Dates to be announced.

MH Civil Commitment certification payment to eligible attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $3,782.50

Fall 2026 Civil Commitment Certification Training:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Worcester
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom
  • Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom
  • Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Boston
  • Friday, October 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Boston
  • In-Person Mock Hearings will be held during the weeks of October 12th & 19th of 2026 in Boston or Worcester courthouses (participants will be assigned just one half-day for the mock hearing).


Applications will be accepted until the August 17, 2026, deadline.

MH Guardianship certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $3,782.50 

MHLD Guardianship Certification Training
Next regular training session to be announced.

Spring 2027 Mental Health Appellate Certification Training

Next training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.

Private Counsel Division (P/CD) - Criminal Defense

ZAT certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $6120.00

Fall 2026 ZAT Program

Attorneys admitted to ZAT will be assigned to either Cohort A or Cohort B and to a specific location (Boston, Worcester, or Holyoke).

Cohort A:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
  • Monday, September 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Monday, September 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Monday, October 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke


Cohort B:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Applications accepted until August 3, 2026.

Certification trainings are held in the fall and spring, annually. 

Fall 2026 Post-Conviction Panel Certification Training:

  • Monday, November 2, 2026— In Person, Worcester
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026— In Person, Worcester
  • Thursday, December 10, 2026— In Person, Worcester

 
Applications will be accepted until October 13, 2026.

ACRSU accepts SORB and SDP panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members will be required to complete a new panel member training consisting of an online portion and a skills-based portion offered in person or by zoom. The trainings will be scheduled as needed.

SDP Certification:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) - Juvenile Defense

ZAT certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria- $6120.00, or $297.50 if also receiving the district court certification payment.

Fall 2026 ZAT Program

Attorneys admitted to ZAT will be assigned to either Cohort A or Cohort B and to a specific location (Boston, Worcester, or Holyoke).

Cohort A:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
  • Monday, September 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Monday, September 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Monday, October 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

 

Cohort B:

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke
  • Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke


Application deadline to be announced.

Fall 2026 Juvenile Appeals Panel Certification Training:

  • Thursday, November 5, 2026, 9:00 to 1:00 p.m.  — Virtual
  • Thursday, November 12, 2026, 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Worcester


Applications will be accepted until September 23, 2026. Decisions will be emailed on September 30, 2026.

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