Livingston Hall papers

The District Court Survey was organized in September of 1951 and was sponsored by the law schools of Massachusetts. Livingston Hall chaired the committee, and Lawrence Urbano was director.

The survey committee proceeded with their study in three stages: (1) analyzed published materials on District Courts, (2) conducted a statewide survey to collect facts and opinions, and (3) made recommendations to the General Court for the solution of existing problems and revisions of pertinent laws and codes.

This group of papers is divided into two parts: (1) survey of caseloads, and (2) chronological file.

The Judicial Survey Commission was formed by Governor Herter in December of 1954 to make a study of the administration of all the courts in Massachusetts. The commission drafted legislation and made other recommendations for change within the frame of the current Constitution.

The commission was divided into seven subcommittees: on the administration of the courts; district courts; criminal justice; probate courts; land court; supreme judicial court's rule making power, procedure and practice and jury commissioners; and internal operation of the courts.

Livingston Hall served on this commission, and was a member of the subcommittee on administration of the courts, rulemaking power and others.

This group of papers is divided into three parts: (1) official file, (2) subcommittee file which is arranged alphabetically, and (3) unsorted miscellany.

The Judicial Council is "an official body charged with the duty of continuous study of the judicial system and its functioning, and the devising of methods for the improvement of the system and its adaptation to present day needs." The council was created as an advisory body by the Judicature Commission of 1919-1920, to aid and direct the legislature in making decisions on judicial reform.

Livingston Hall was first appointed a member of the Mass. Judicial Council in August of 1955 by Massachusetts Governor Christian Herter and reappointed for successive terms in 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1969.

The papers consist of minutes and drafts of reports made at committee meetings. [Hall was inconsistent in his use of the terms "items" and "agenda" as indicated by folder headings; both presumably refer to reports made.] Final reports are in two bound volumes in MS box #7, 1951-1967.

Livingston Hall served as chairperson of the MCLRC from its inception in May of 1968 to its termination in 1971-1972. This commission was formed by the Attorney General of Massachusetts to help modernize the criminal law. In 1972 the commission filed Senate Bill No. 200 as a proposed revision of the substantive criminal law of Massachusetts.

The work of the commission was done by an Executive committee which Hall served on, and four sub-committees. Each sub-committee had a "Reporter who would draft sections and commentary." Sub-committee A: general principles; sub-committee B: sentence, probation and parole; subcommittee C: offenses against person and property; and sub-committee D: offenses against family, decency and good order.

The first meeting was held on May 27, 1968, and the final draft was approved on November 20, 1971 and filed in 1972.

Livingston Hall served on various subcommittees of the Governor's committee, such as: Governor's Public Safety Commission; Advisory Committee on Planning, Implementation and Research; and the Governor's Proposal Review Board.

These papers cover the period 1967-1973. They consist primarily of reports made by the committees. [See also: Massachusetts Criminal Law Revision Commission which grew out of the Governor's committee.]

This series contains financial files of the Massachusetts Criminal Law Revision Commission, 1968-1978, which were not originally included in Series IV.