Skip to Content

General Laws

Click to PrintPrint Page

Section 1 to 5Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 73
Section 6Assignee of claim assigned by executor or administrator, proceedings
Section 6ARepealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 75
Section 6BInterest added to damages in tort actions
Section 6CInterest added to damages in contract actions
Section 6DDamages for pain and suffering in tort actions arising out of operation, etc., of motor vehicles; restrictions
Section 6EDefinitions applicable to sections 6E to 6G
Section 6FCosts, expenses and interest for insubstantial, frivolous or bad faith claims or defenses
Section 6GAppeals; motions for expenses for insubstantial, frivolous or bad faith claims or defenses
Section 6HInterest on damages
Section 6IInterest rate; schedule
Section 7Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 75
Section 8Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 158
Section 9Action to recover possession of real property
Section 10 to 13Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 75
Section 13AInvalidity of stipulation waiving service of process or authorizing confession of judgment; vacation of judgment
Section 13BAd damnum or monetary amount claimed
Section 14 to 20Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 75
Section 21Pleading following answer in abatement
Section 22Pleading the general issue; evidence
Section 23 to 30Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 77
Section 31Equitable defenses
Section 32 to 34Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 78
Section 35Reply avoiding defense in equity
Section 36 to 38Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 80
Section 39Real and mixed actions at issue in land court
Section 40, 41Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 82
Section 42Endorsement of pleading or process before filing or entry; residence
Section 43Late endorsement of pleading or process
Section 44Endorsement when plaintiff removes from commonwealth
Section 45Procuring new responsible endorser
Section 46Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 168
Section 47Dismissal on failure to obtain endorser
Section 48Substitute endorser
Section 49, 50Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 84
Section 51Amendments as to parties, process or pleading
Section 52Amendment after demurrer
Section 53, 54Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 87
Section 55Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 170
Section 56 to 58Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 87
Section 58ANotice of default to company issuing motor vehicle liability policy or bond; assessment of damages deferred
Section 59Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 87
Section 59AAdvancing action for speedy trial
Section 59BRepealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 87
Section 59CRequest of either party
Section 59DSpeedy trial of actions involving election laws
Section 59ERequest of either party
Section 59FSpeedy trial for persons sixty-five years of age or older
Section 59GDismissal for failure to file a timely request for trial; vacation of judgment
Section 59HStrategic litigation against public participation; special motion to dismiss
Section 60, 60ARepealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 178
Section 60BMalpractice actions against providers of health care; tribunal
Section 60CMalpractice complaints; ad damnum prohibited
Section 60DClaim by minor against provider of health care; limitations
Section 60EMalpractice action; professional examination of claimant
Section 60FAward of damages; elements and itemization of amounts
Section 60GReduction of award of damages; collateral sources of benefits
Section 60HLimitation of damages for pain and suffering
Section 60IAttorney fees; limitations on contingency fees
Section 60JNegligence actions for serving alcoholic beverages to minors or intoxicated persons; summary judgments
Section 60KActions for malpractice, negligence, etc. against health care providers; damages; rate of interest
Section 60LWritten notice requirement for actions against health care providers as defined in seventh paragraph of Sec. 60B; time for filing; exceptions; contents; provider's access to medical records; written response
Section 61Filing interrogatories
Section 62Answers to interrogatories
Section 63Rules governing use of interrogatories
Section 64Failure to answer or to amend or expunge answer
Section 65Person answering interrogatories when corporation, municipal corporation, minor or incompetent is party
Section 66Order for costs
Section 67Non-disclosure of information not pertinent
Section 68Inspecting documents
Section 69Demand for admissions; answer to demand or refusal of admissions; costs
Section 70Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 91
Section 71Motions and interlocutory orders
Section 72Agreements regarding amendments and trial procedure
Section 73Repealed, 1932, 180, Sec. 40
Section 74 to 76Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 94
Section 77Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 185
Section 78Repealed, 1932, 180, Sec. 40
Section 79Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 94
Section 80Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 187
Section 81Charges as to facts, etc.
Section 82Designation of place of trial
Section 83Interrupting examination of witnesses
Section 84Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 189
Section 84AConsolidation of actions involving same subject matter
Section 85Comparative negligence; limited effect of contributory negligence as defense
Section 85APrima facie evidence of owner’s responsibility for operation of motor vehicle
Section 85BAction for consequential damages; presumption of automobile owner’s responsibility
Section 85CAction to enforce liability policy or bond; presumption of insured’s consent to operation of vehicle
Section 85DImputing negligence of parent or custodian to infant
Section 85EMotor vehicles; defenses in subrogation claims
Section 85FImputation of negligence of operator of motor vehicle to passenger-owner
Section 85GParents’ liability for willful acts of minor children
Section 85HLeased property; failure to return; conversion; presumption
Section 85IEmergency care, etc. of injured persons by members of ski patrols; exemption from civil liability
Section 85JFraud or deceit in sale of personal property; treble damages
Section 85KLimitation of tort liability of certain charitable organizations; liability of directors, officers or trustees of educational institutions
Section 85LRecovery of damages against operator of motor vehicle by guest; ordinary negligence
Section 85MDisclaimers of liability by parking facilities not a defense and void
Section 85NLiability of licensed members of certain professional societies and committees for damages resulting from official acts
Section 85OContracts; age of legal capacity and liability in civil actions
Section 85PAge of majority; legal capacity
Section 85P1/2Child performers; contracts; court approval
Section 85QStandard of care owed children; maintenance of artificial condition upon land
Section 85RBoat races or regattas; liability for injuries
Section 85R1/2Liability for damage to property as a result of shoplifting or attempted larceny; recovery
Section 85SPhysical alteration or destruction of fine art
Section 85TNegligence action for serving alcohol to intoxicated person prohibited; exceptions
Section 85UDeath or injury to unlawful dwelling occupants; liability of lawful occupants
Section 85VSports program volunteers’ liability; definitions
Section 85WOfficers and directors of charitable corporations; tort liability
Section 85XLoss of consortium of a dependent child; cause of action
Section 85YChild care facilities; liability of owner of property for injury or damage on premises
Section 85ZConveyances without fair consideration by persons in contempt of an order or judgment for child support; civil action
Section 85AALiability of registered rescue volunteers
Section 86Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 96
Section 87Pleadings as evidence; effect
Section 88Effect of unaccepted offer of judgment
Section 89Use at trial of answers to interrogatories
Section 90Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 98
Section 91Effect of unproved defense of truth in action of slander or libel; proof of statements not contained in pleadings
Section 91ARadio or television broadcast; liability of owner of station, etc.
Section 91BStatement relating to bank loan for purchase of goods or services as defense to claim for libel
Section 92Truth as justification for libel
Section 93Retraction of libel; mitigation of damages; punitive damages
Section 94Evidence in mitigation of damages
Section 94AProbable cause as defence in action for false arrest
Section 94BFalse arrest; shoplifting; defrauding innkeepers; defenses
Section 94CFalse arrest; theft of public records; defenses
Section 95Defense to action on default judgment
Section 96Relief from final judgment; vacation; effect of attachment
Section 96ARepealed, 1947, 361
Section 97Appeal to superior court
Section 98Appeal bond
Section 99Deposit in lieu of appeal bond
Section 100Repealed, 1931, 426, Sec. 111
Section 101Record on appeal to superior court; transmission
Section 102Docket entries on taking appeal
Section 102ARepealed, 1943, 296, Sec. 3
Section 102BRepealed, 1958, 369, Sec. 2
Section 102CTransfer of action from superior court; trial; decision; notice; judgment; retransfer; trial
Section 103Waiver of jury trial and right of appeal in cases brought in district court
Section 104Removal from district court to superior court
Section 104AMultiple judgments specification for removal to superior court
Section 105Repealed, 1956, 302, Sec. 2
Section 106Deposit in lieu of removal bond
Section 107Circumstances making removal bond unnecessary
Section 108Appellate divisions of district courts; assignment and compensation of justices; procedure
Section 109Appeal to appeals court from appellate division
Section 110Powers of appellate division
Section 110A to 110CRepealed, 1931, 426, Sec. 119
Section 111Report by single justice
Section 112Report by single justice of supreme judicial court
Section 112AAppellate proceedings upon report; application of Rules of Appellate Procedure
Section 112BObjections to rulings or orders
Section 113Appeal from final judgment of superior court, land court and housing courts
Section 114Appeal from final judgment of single justice of supreme judicial court
Section 115Disposition of judgment on appeal; stay of execution
Section 116Protective orders pending appeal
Section 117Temporary appellate relief from final judgments pending appeal
Section 118Temporary appellate relief from interlocutory orders; appeals to appeals court or supreme judicial court
Section 118AAppeal from interlocutory order for equitable relief
Section 119Harmless error; disposition of judgment on appeal
Section 120 to 123Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 203
Section 124Determination of questions of law by full court on appeal
Section 125Appellate court’s powers of amendment; additional testimony
Section 125AFurther report of material facts in equity and probate appeals
Section 126Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 205
Section 127Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 109
Section 128, 129Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 205
Section 130Costs on refusal of new trial
Section 131Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 205
Section 132Error not affecting substantial rights; partial new trial
Section 133 to 137Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 205
Section 138Amendment of pleadings; notice and hearing requisite to bind certain persons; appeal
Section 139Representation of corporate party by officer or agent
Section 140Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 110
Section 140AConclusiveness of consent judgment in automobile case
Section 140BAdvance payments or settlements of claims by insurers; effect upon liability; admissibility as evidence; credit upon judgment; notice of limitations to claimant by insurer; accrual of cause of action
Section 140CSettlement or partial payment by insurer as admission of liability
Section 140C1/2Settlement of claim of minor or incompetent; judicial powers; petition for settlement approval
Section 141 to 147Repealed, 1975, 377, Sec. 110