Section 3. Three justices shall constitute a quorum to decide all matters required to be heard by the appeals court or, upon order of the chief justice, four or more justices may sit. The court may sit in panels of three or more justices. The chief justice, insofar as practicable, shall assign justices to panels in such manner that each justice shall sit a substantially equal number of times with each other justice. The chief justice shall preside over any panel on which he shall sit, or, if the chief justice is not a member of a panel, the senior justice shall be the presiding justice.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases
Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers
Section 1 - Appeals Court; Establishment
Section 2 - Justices; Salaries; Expenses; Limitation of Practice
Section 3 - Quorum; Panels; Presiding Justice
Section 4 - Sitting of Court; Quarters and Facilities; Sessions
Section 5 - Powers and Authority; Jurisdiction
Section 6 - Clerk and Assistant Clerks; Terms; Salaries
Section 7 - Estimate for Maintenance of Court and Revenue
Section 8 - Clerk to Serve as Administrative Officer; Cost of Maintaining Office; Duties
Section 9 - Decisions, Opinions and Rescripts
Section 10 - Concurrent Appellate Jurisdiction With Supreme Judicial Court; Limitations
Section 11 - Further Appellate Review of Certain Cases by Supreme Judicial Court
Section 12 - Report to Supreme Judicial Court; Transfers to and From Supreme Judicial Court
Section 13 - Presentation of Cases; Law Governing; Adoption of Rules
Section 14 - Vacancy in Office of Chief Justice
Section 15 - Frivolous Appeals or Exceptions; Costs and Interest