reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 211 § 4a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 4a - Transfer of Causes Between Supreme Judicial Court and Lower Courts

Section 4A. The supreme judicial court or a justice thereof may transfer for partial or final disposition in any appropriate lower court any cause or matter which might otherwise be disposed of by a single justice, and said lower court shall thereupon have jurisdiction thereof, subject to appeal, and shall have such assistance from other departments or from the use of writs and process as the law provides shall be available to it or any other court with respect to like causes or matters; provided, however, that no transfer shall be made of the following:—  (1) Motions for relief from judgment rendered by the supreme judicial court.  (2) Civil actions under section five of chapter two hundred and forty-nine against the supreme judicial court or the appeals court or a judicial officer thereof.  (3) Dismissal under section thirteen of chapter fifty-eight A of appeals from the appellate tax board or stays of execution of sentence after exceptions or appeal under section forty-nine A of chapter two hundred and seventy-nine.  (4) Any matter incidental to the exclusive appellate jurisdiction of the full court for which provision may hereafter be made; and further provided, that no transfer shall be made to any court other than the appeals court of the following:—  (1) Civil actions under section five of chapter two hundred and forty-nine against any court other than the supreme judicial court or the appeals court or a judicial officer thereof;  (2) Stays of execution of sentence after the filing or allowance of exceptions or the entry of an appeal under section four of chapter two hundred and seventy-nine; reductions of bail under section fifty-eight of chapter two hundred and seventy-six; summary review of questions of law pertaining to issuance or denial of preliminary injunctions in labor dispute cases under subsection (6) of section six of chapter two hundred and fourteen; summary review of workers' compensation orders pending appeal under section sixty A of chapter one hundred and fifty-two; suspension, modification or annulment of orders or judgments under section one hundred and seventeen of chapter two hundred and thirty-one pending an appeal; and stays of orders or decrees in equity and other certain matters in the probate court under sections twenty-three and twenty-four of chapter two hundred and fifteen.  In any case involving public utility rates, insurance rates, or other matter clearly affecting the public interest or an entire industry, a single justice shall file with the order of transfer a statement of his reasons therefor.  The supreme judicial court may also direct any cause or matter to be transferred from a lower court to it in whole or in part for further action or directions, and in case of partial transfer may issue such orders or directions in regards to the part of such cause or matter not so transferred as justice may require.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 5 - Questions of Law; Hearing by Full Court

Section 5. Questions of law arising upon exceptions, report, or appeal shall be heard and determined by the full court.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 6 - Questions of Law; Reservation

Section 6. Questions of law arising upon a trial or other proceeding, or upon a motion for a new trial by reason of an opinion, direction, order or refusal of one justice in matter of law, may be reserved for the consideration of the full court, and so much of the case as is necessary for understanding the question shall be reported.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 7 - Questions of Law; Argument; Order

Section 7. Unless the court for cause shown directs otherwise, questions of law in criminal cases which are entered upon the docket of the full court shall be argued in their order and before any civil cases are argued, and thereafter questions of law in civil cases which are entered upon said docket shall, when reached, be argued in their order if either party is ready. But no party shall be compelled to be ready for argument within ten days after the question has been duly reserved of record in the court in which the case is pending.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 8 - Judgment or Rescript After Decision

Section 8. The full court shall, as soon as may be after the decision of the questions submitted to it, make and enter a proper order, direction or judgment for the further disposition of the case, or cause a rescript, containing a brief statement of the grounds and reasons of the decision, to be filed therein; it may remand the record to the trial court to carry such judgment into effect, or instead thereof, the full court may order a new trial or further proceedings at the bar of the supreme judicial court, or order sentence to be awarded or execution issued in said court.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 9 - Records and Rescripts; Contents

Section 9. The records and rescripts which are made after the decision of questions of law shall contain a brief statement of the reasons therefor; and if no further opinion is written within sixty days, the reporter shall publish the case with the opinion contained in such record or rescript.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 10 - Frivolous Appeals; Costs and Interest

Section 10. If, upon the hearing of an appeal in any proceeding, it appears that the appeal is frivolous, immaterial or intended for delay, the court may, either upon motion of a party or of its own motion, award against the appellant double costs from the time when the appeal was taken and also interest from the same time at the rate of twelve per cent a year on any amount which has been found due for debt and damages, or which he has been ordered to pay, or for which judgment has been recovered against him, or may award any part of such additional costs and interest.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 12 - Law Sittings; Adjournments

Section 12. The supreme judicial court shall hold sittings for the hearing and determination of questions of law arising in any cases at such times and places as the court shall by rule determine, and any such sittings may be adjourned to such places and times as shall appear to the court to be most conducive to the dispatch of business and to the interests of the public.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 14 - Transfer of Cases by Full Court

Section 14. The full court sitting in any county, or for the commonwealth, shall have jurisdiction of all questions of law and of all cases and matters at law or in equity, civil or criminal, which arise in any county other than that in or for which it is sitting, and which might properly be heard and determined by it sitting for such county; and, upon the application of a party, the full court may order any such questions of law, or case or matter, to be entered and determined by the full court sitting in any county, or for the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 15 - Criminal Cases; Hearings

Section 15. The exceptions alleged at the trial of a criminal case in any county, not subject to the provisions of sections thirty-three A to thirty-three G, inclusive, of chapter two hundred and seventy-eight in accordance with said provisions or not made subject thereto by order of a justice of the superior court in accordance with section thirty-one of said chapter, may be entered and determined either at the law sitting of the supreme judicial court held for the county in which they arise, or, upon the order of the justice presiding at the trial, at the sitting of the court for the commonwealth including an adjourned sitting.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 16 - Hearing in Boston of Questions Arising in Other Counties

Section 16. If the justice before whom an action or proceeding is tried in the supreme judicial court or the superior court in counties other than Barnstable, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth or Suffolk considers that a question of law which arises for the determination of the full court is immaterial, frivolous, or intended merely for delay, or that the interests of the parties or of the public require a more speedy determination thereof than can be reached in the sitting established for the county in which the action or proceeding is tried, he shall so certify and order the question of law to be entered and heard at the sitting of the court for the commonwealth; and all the other proceedings shall be the same as if the question had arisen in one of the above named counties.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 17 - Jury Sittings; Times and Places of Sittings

Section 17. Jury sittings of the court shall be held by one justice, who shall have all the powers not expressly reserved to the full court.  If there are pending before the court in the respective counties matters requiring trial by jury, such sittings shall be held in the county of Suffolk sitting at Boston or in such other county at such places and times as the court may determine as being conducive to the dispatch of business and to the interest of the public.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 18 - Sittings at Fall River; Adjournments

Section 18. If the public business so requires, the court may adjourn an established sitting for the county of Bristol from either Taunton or New Bedford to Fall River, in the manner and with the effect of an adjournment to another shire town; and such adjournment shall be subject to all the provisions of law relative to adjournments to another shire town.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 19 - Dukes or Nantucket County Cases; Place of Trial

Section 19. An action, suit or proceeding arising or pending in the county of Nantucket, which is cognizable by the supreme judicial court and which is to be heard before one justice, shall be entered, heard, tried and determined at the court held in the county of Bristol, in all respects as if the same court were held in the county of Nantucket. An action, suit or proceeding arising or pending in the county of Dukes, which is so cognizable and which is to be heard before one justice, shall be heard, tried and determined at the court held in the county of Bristol, in all respects as if the same court were held in the county of Dukes; provided, that the records and papers in all such cases entered in the county of Dukes shall be kept in said county, but the papers may be transmitted to and from any other county in accordance with such rules or orders as said court may make. All matters cognizable by the full court arising or pending in the county of Dukes or Nantucket shall be heard and determined as if arising in the county of Bristol.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 20 - Powers of Justices at Jury and Law Sittings

Section 20. Four or more justices present at a jury sitting shall have the powers of a full court. One justice present at a law sitting shall have the same authority as at a jury sitting.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 21 - Audit of Accounts

Section 21. The full court, sitting for the commonwealth, shall examine and audit all accounts for services and expenses incident to said court, and they shall be paid by the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 22 - Salaries of Justices; Expenses; Practice of Law Prohibited

Section 22. The chief justice shall receive a salary of $206,239 and each associate justice shall receive a salary of $200,984 and the chief justice and each associate justice shall annually receive from the commonwealth upon the certificate of the chief justice the amount of expenses incurred by each of them in the discharge of his duties. Such justices shall devote their entire time during ordinary business hours to their respective duties and shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in the practice of law.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 23 - Court Employees

Section 23. The justices of the court shall be allowed annually law clerks, stenographers, other clerical assistance and any other personnel that said justices may from time to time deem necessary.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 24 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 24 - Services of Retired Justices

Section 24. (a) A retired chief justice or associate justice of the supreme judicial court whose name has been placed on the list of retired justices pursuant to section sixty-five E of chapter thirty-two may be designated and assigned by the chief justice of the supreme judicial court to perform, during his term of eligibility, such of the duties of the office of associate justice of the supreme judicial court as may be requested of him and which he is willing to undertake, provided that no single assignment shall be for a term longer than ninety days, and provided that full-bench duties may be assigned only to fill a temporary vacancy, including temporary disability, on the court. Such retired chief justice or associate justice may also be designated and assigned by the chief justice of the supreme judicial court to perform; during his term of eligibility, such of the duties of judge of any lower court as may be requested of him and which he is willing to undertake provided that no single assignment shall be for a term of no longer than ninety days.  (b) In performing the service requested of him a retired chief justice or associate justice shall exercise all judicial powers and authority pertaining to the office in which he acts, with respect to matters as to which he is designated to act, and the fact of such service shall be stated on the records of the court, but need not be separately stated in the record or docket of any particular cause or proceeding. Service under the provisions of this section shall not be counted in determining the number of offices authorized or required by any applicable statute for the court on which a retired chief justice or associate justice might serve pursuant to this chapter.  (c) A retired chief justice or associate justice so serving shall be paid by the commonwealth, in addition to the pension or retirement allowance received, a per diem differential rate of compensation equivalent to one two hundred twentieths of the balance remaining after deducting the annual pension or retirement allowance received from the current annual salary of such justice if not retired. The per diem differential rate of compensation shall be paid monthly from Judiciary appropriated funds.  Such retired justice shall be entitled to all other benefits of a regular incumbent of the supreme judicial court and shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred while performing such services at any place other than his place of residence. While so serving he shall be entitled to receive such staff support, clerical assistance and facilities as are customarily available to judges of the court on which he serves.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 25 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 25 - Disability Benefits Project

Section 25. There is hereby created under the superintendence of the supreme judicial court, hereinafter called the court, a disability benefits project, hereinafter called the project, for the exclusive purpose of providing increased legal assistance for mentally or physically disabled persons to secure federal disability benefits provided through the Social Security Disability Insurance program under Title II of the Social Security Act, through the Supplemental Security Income program under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, and through such other programs subsequently established by Congress to accomplish similar purposes for persons with disabilities. The purpose and intent of said project shall be to make funds available, subject to appropriation for such purposes, to organizations, including qualified legal services programs as defined in section one of chapter two hundred and twenty-one A, and other groups, corporations or associations to fund a program of statewide legal assistance, such funds to be distributed pursuant to contracts which set general goals for case-handling, or include other appropriate measures of service, for each organization receiving financial assistance and which require, where appropriate, that a portion of said financial assistance be made available to private attorneys to further effectuate the intent of the project. The court may administer or contract with any organization for the purpose of administering the project. The court may further appoint a disability advisory committee, consisting of members of the legal community including those with experience in advocacy for persons with disabilities, and members of the disabled community, for the purpose of assisting the court in matters pertaining to the project. The composition of the committee, the terms of its members, and the scope of its responsibilities shall be determined by the court.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 26 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 26 - Program for Evaluation of Judicial Performance

Section 26. A majority of the supreme judicial court, in consultation with the chief justice of the trial court shall design and implement a program for performance evaluation of judges. The sole purpose of said program shall be the improvement of the performance of individual judges and of the judiciary as a whole and, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, all information compiled by said program shall be confidential. Said court may consult with individuals and organizations and may contract for technical assistance for the purpose of said program to the extent it deems necessary.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 26a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 26a - Questionnaires for Performance Evaluation Program; Contents; Distribution, Collection, etc.; Frequency of Evaluations

Section 26A. The program for performance evaluation, as described in section twenty-six of this chapter, shall include, but not be limited to, a questionnaire, to be designed and implemented by the supreme judicial court. Said questionnaires shall be given to attorneys, parties and jurors appearing before a judge in each trial and in addition to each trial, in a representative sample of cases, so they may evaluate the performance of the judge. The questionnaire shall include, but not be limited to, questions relative to the judge's performance, demeanor, judicial management skills, legal ability, attentiveness, bias and degree of preparedness. Completed questionnaires shall be returned to the supreme judicial court, unsigned, within thirty days of the completion of the case or trial and all responses shall remain confidential. The data collected from each questionnaire shall be compiled and once the data has been compiled, the questionnaire from which the data was collected shall be destroyed.  The chief justice of the trial court shall establish the method and means by which the questionnaires shall be distributed, collected, verified and compiled.  Judges with one to four years service shall be evaluated every twelve to eighteen months and judges with more than four years service shall be evaluated every eighteen to thirty-six months. A minimum of twenty-five responses shall be compiled before a judge is evaluated. The supreme judicial court, or their designees, shall conduct the evaluation of a judge. When an evaluation of an individual judge is complete, it shall be made available to that judge and discussed with him.
MA Gen L ch 211 § 26b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211 - The Supreme Judicial Court|Section 26b - Judicial Evaluation Standards; Disciplinary Procedures

Section 26B. The majority of the supreme judicial court shall establish judicial evaluation standards which individual judges must achieve during the evaluation process and shall design and implement programs for judges to attend who fail to achieve judicial evaluation standards. The majority of the supreme judicial court shall also establish disciplinary procedures for judges who do not complete programs implemented for judges who fail to achieve judicial evaluation standards.