Case Name: John X. Foley vs. Walter B. McGonigle, trustee
Court: Massachusetts Appeals Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1975-04-30
Citations: 3 Mass. App. Ct. 746
Docket Number: 
Parties: John X. Foley vs. Walter B. McGonigle, trustee.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Appeals Court Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 746–746

Head Matter:
John X. Foley vs. Walter B. McGonigle, trustee.
April 30, 1975.
Robert V. Cauchon, for the plaintiff, submitted a brief.

Opinion:
The defendant, as the party asserting an easement over the lane in question, had the burden of proving the nature and extent of any such easement. Swensen v. Marino, 306 Mass. 582, 583 (1940). Fortier v. H. P. Hood & Sons, Inc. 307 Mass. 292, 299 (1940). Goldstein v. Beal, 317 Mass. 750, 757 (1945). The fact that the plaintiff initiated this proceeding for declaratory relief does not shift that burden to him. Stop & Shop, Inc. v. Ganem, 347 Mass. 697, 703-704 (1964). That other persons, not before the court, may also have rights of passage over or own portions of the lane does not prevent the adjudication as between the plaintiff and the defendant of the latter's rights (if any) in such portion of the lane as may be owned by the plaintiff. The judgment is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with the foregoing.
So ordered.