reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 261 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 14 - Actions by State; Liability for Costs

Section 14. In civil actions and in proceedings which are instituted by, or in the name of, the commonwealth, and not at the relation, in behalf, or for the use, of a private person, the commonwealth shall be liable for costs as is an individual.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 15 - Action by State in Behalf of Private Parties; Effect on Costs

Section 15. A private person at whose relation, for whose use or in whose behalf an action or proceeding is commenced in the name of the commonwealth or of the attorney general shall be liable for costs, as if it had been begun in his own name.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 16 - Judgment for Costs Against State; Payment

Section 16. If a judgment for costs is rendered against the commonwealth, the treasurer of the county to which the costs in such case would have been paid had the judgment been in favor of the commonwealth shall pay it upon the production of an attested copy thereof; but if the costs would have been paid to the commonwealth had the judgment been in favor of the commonwealth, the state treasurer shall pay it upon the production of an attested copy thereof.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 17 - Attorney General; Travel Costs

Section 17. If costs are taxed for the commonwealth, no fees shall be taxed or allowed for the travel of the attorney general or any attorney for the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 18 - Arbitrators and Courts; Powers; Effect of This Chapter

Section 18. This chapter shall not affect the power of arbitrators or referees to award costs; nor the power of a court to require costs to be paid by either party as the condition of an amendment, continuance or other order which is passed upon his motion, or to withhold and refuse costs on like occasions.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 19 - Clerk; Duty to Tax Costs; Notice

Section 19. Costs shall be taxed by the clerk of the court. No costs shall be taxed without notice to an adverse party who gives seasonable notice in writing to the clerk of his desire to be present at the taxation or causes such notice to be entered on the docket. Notice given by or to the attorney in the action shall be equivalent to notice by or to the party.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 20 - Appeal From Taxation of Costs

Section 20. Either party may appeal from the taxation by the clerk to the court in which the action is pending, or to a justice thereof.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 21 - Execution for Costs; Bond for Costs

Section 21. If the appellant is liable for the costs, the appellee may take out execution and cause it to be satisfied, if he first gives bond with sufficient surety, who shall be approved by the clerk, in a sum equal to the costs, payable to the appellant, conditioned to repay such part of the costs as may be disallowed upon the appeal, and to perform such other order as the court or justice shall make thereon.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 22 - Appeal Costs; Allowance

Section 22. The costs incurred by the appeal may be allowed to either party by the court or justice before whom such appeal is heard, and they may be added to or deducted from the costs awarded in the principal action or may be collected upon a separate execution.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 23 - Supreme Judicial, Appeals and Superior Courts; Items of Costs

Section 23. There shall be allowed, in a civil action in the supreme judicial court, appeals court or in the superior court, in addition to other disbursements allowed by law, the following costs:  For the entry fee, an amount to be apportioned among all plaintiffs for whom entry fees have not been waived, which amount shall equal the aggregate of the entry fees paid by said plaintiffs.  For an attorney's fee, if an issue in law or fact is joined, two dollars and fifty cents; if not, one dollar and twenty-five cents.  For a term fee, five dollars for each sitting while the action is pending, not exceeding three sittings, except by an order of the court. If an action or question of law therein is carried to the full court, two additional term fees may be allowed. If the defendant is defaulted without having appeared, only one term fee shall be allowed.  For travel, such sum as the court may allow.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 24 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 24 - Trials at Designated Place

Section 24. If the shire town where a case shall be tried has been designated under section eighty-two of chapter two hundred and thirty-one, no costs shall be allowed for sittings held in any other town unless the action is actually tried in such other town by agreement of the parties.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 25a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 25a - Miscellaneous Expenses; Allowances

Section 25A. Unless the court shall otherwise determine, the prevailing party shall be allowed a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars for expenses actually incurred for plans, drawings, photographs and certified copies of public and court records, necessary and used at the trial. Except by order of the court, no such allowance shall be made unless an affidavit by the prevailing party or his attorney of record is filed with the clerk before final judgment, setting out fully such expenditures, and that said plans, drawings, photographs and copies were actually used at the trial.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 26 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 26 - District Courts; Items of Costs

Section 26. There should be allowed in a civil action in a district court, in addition to the other disbursements allowed by law, the following costs:  To the plaintiff—  For the complaint, an amount to be apportioned among all plaintiffs for whom entry fees have not been waived, which amount shall be equal to the aggregate of all entry fees paid.  For an attorney's fee, if there is an appearance for the defendant, two dollars and fifty cents: if not, one dollar and twenty-five cents.  For a term fee, three dollars, if there is an appearance for the defendant; and if not, one dollar.  For travel, such sum as the court may allow.  For attendance, such sum as the court may allow.  To the defendant—  For travel, such sum as the court may allow.  For attendance, such sum as the court may allow.  For a term fee, three dollars.  For an attorney's fee, two dollars and fifty cents.  To the trustee—  For an attorney's fee, fifty cents.  For an answer in writing, twenty-five cents.  For travel and attendance, such sum as the court may allow.  For an answer to interrogatories, such sum as the court may allow.  To an adverse claimant—  Such sum as the court may allow.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27a - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 27a to 27g

Section 27A. As used in sections twenty-seven A to twenty-seven G, inclusive, the following words shall have the following meanings:  ''Indigent'', (a) a person who receives public assistance under aid to families with dependent children, program of emergency aid for elderly and disabled residents or veterans' benefits programs or who receives assistance under Title XVI of the Social Security Act or the medicaid program, 42 U.S.C.A. 1396, et seq.; (b) a person whose income, after taxes, is 125 per cent or less of the current poverty threshold established annually by the Community Services Administration pursuant to section 625 of the Economic Opportunity Act, as amended; or (c) a person who is unable to pay the fees and costs of the proceeding in which he is involved or is unable to do so without depriving himself or his dependents of the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing, but an inmate shall not be adjudged indigent pursuant to section 27C unless the inmate has complied with the procedures set forth in section 29 and the court finds that the inmate is incapable of making payments under the plans set forth in said section 29.  ''Fees and costs'', fees and costs shall not include attorneys' fees.  ''Normal fees and costs'', the fees and costs a party normally is required to pay in order to prosecute or defend the particular type of proceeding in which he is involved shall include, but not be limited to, the following: in all civil cases, filing or entry fees, including the surcharges required by section four C of chapter two hundred and sixty-two; fees and related costs for service of process, including publications of a citation when publication is ordered; fees and costs for the issuance or service of a subpoena and witness fees for trial or deposition; jury trial fees; removal fees; costs assessed in a bill of costs; in equity, fees for the issuance of an injunction, restraining order, writ or other process; in the probate and family court department, fees for an amendment of record.  ''Extra fees and costs'', the fees and costs, in addition to those a party is normally required to pay in order to prosecute or defend his case, which result when a party employs or responds to a procedure not necessarily required in the particular type of proceeding in which he is involved. They shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the cost of transcribing a deposition, expert assistance and appeal bonds and appeal bond premiums.  ''Clerk'', the clerk or an assistant clerk or the register or an assistant register.  ''Inmate'', a person committed to, held by or in the custody of the department of correction or a state, county or federal correctional facility or the treatment center under chapter 123A.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27b - Affidavit of Indigency; Waiver, Substitution or State Payment of Fees or Costs; Supplementary Affidavits

Section 27B. Upon or after commencing or answering to any civil, criminal or juvenile proceeding or appeal in any court, including but not limited to civil actions, proceedings for divorce or separate support, summary and supplementary processes, and proceedings upon petitions to vacate, for review or, upon appeal in a criminal case, any party may file with the clerk an affidavit of indigency and request for waiver, substitution or payment by the commonwealth of fees and costs upon a form prescribed by the chief justice of the supreme judicial court and in accordance with the standards set forth in sections twenty-seven C to twenty-seven F, inclusive, and sworn to under oath by the affiant.  An indigent party may subsequently file one or more supplementary affidavits requesting the waiver, substitution or payment by the commonwealth of fees and costs not previously granted at any time while the case is still pending in the original court or elsewhere.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27d - Appeal; Notice; Record; Speedy Hearing; Stay of Proceedings; Decision Final

Section 27D. In any case where the court denies a request for waiver, substitution or payment by the commonwealth of fees and costs, pursuant to section twenty-seven C or any other provision of law, the applicant may take an appeal as hereafter provided. If the matter arises in the superior, the land, the probate or the housing court departments, the appeal shall be to a single justice of the appeals court at the next sitting thereof. If the matter arises in the juvenile court department, the appeal shall be to the superior court sitting in the nearest county or in Suffolk county. If the matter arises in the district court or Boston municipal court departments, the appeal shall be to the appellate division. Upon being notified of the denial the applicant shall also be advised of his right of appeal, and he shall have seven days thereafter to file a notice of appeal with the clerk or register. Upon receipt of notice of appeal timely filed the clerk or register shall forthwith notify the judge or justice, who shall within three days set forth his written findings and reasons as provided in paragraph (4) of section twenty-seven C. The court denying the request may, with or without motion, stay proceedings pending appeal or issue any other order or process to preserve the rights of the parties pending the appeal. The clerk or register shall then forward the affidavit and request, the court's findings and reasons for denial and any other documents on file relevant to the appeal, to the clerk of the court deciding the appeal, who, upon receipt thereof, shall refer the matter to the court for speedy decision and shall promptly notify the applicant of such decision. The court deciding the appeal may enter a stay or revoke an existing stay or other order, and its decision shall be final with respect to such request.''
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27e - Repayment; Deductions From Judgment or Settlement; Notice; Procedure

Section 27E. Any party on whose behalf any fees or costs have been waived or paid by the commonwealth pursuant to sections twenty-seven C or twenty-seven F, or both, shall repay the total amount thereof to the clerk or register of the court if said party shall have recovered, as a result of the proceeding in which said fees or costs were waived or paid, an amount in excess of three times the total amount of said fees and costs. In any case in which any fees or costs have been so waived or paid, the court, upon the waiver or payment of any such fees or costs shall notify all parties of the total amount of said fees and costs to date and that any money judgment or settlement in favor of the party for whom said fees or costs were waived or paid which exceeds three times the total amount thereof shall be deposited with the clerk or register of the court in the following manner. Any party obligated to pay any judgment or settlement exceeding three times the total amount of said fees and costs, or any portion of such a judgment or settlement, shall pay to the clerk or register the total amount of said fees or costs, or if more than one party is so obligated, his proportional share thereof, and deduct the same from such judgment or settlement. The clerk or register shall notify all parties when the total amount of fees and costs has been so reimbursed. When said notification is received by the party obligated to pay such judgment or settlement or portion thereof, or if no such notification is received after the expiration of thirty days after the payment by said party of such fees or costs or his share thereof, said party shall promptly forward the remainder of the judgment or settlement to the party entitled to it. This procedure shall not be construed to excuse any person on whose behalf any fees or costs have been waived or paid from the obligation to repay the same as provided in this section.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27f (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27f - Substitute Documents, Services or Objects at Less Cost; Court Order

Section 27F. The court may, upon its own motion or that of any party, order that the document, service or object for which a normal or extra fee or cost would be charged shall be provided by an alternative means at lower or no cost, if the substitute thereby provided is substantially equivalent and the provision thereof does not materially impair the rights of any party. In any such order the court may direct payment by the commonwealth of the cost of any substitute to the same extent that the court would but for this section have ordered payment by the commonwealth for the document, service or object in question.
MA Gen L ch 261 § 27g (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 261 - Costs in Civil Actions|Section 27g - Payment Procedure; Public Record; Report of Expenditures

Section 27G. The clerk shall receive from any indigent party or his attorney all bills and vouchers for any document, service or object rendered to said party for which an order for payment by the commonwealth has been issued, and shall transmit said bills and vouchers and an attested copy of said order to the office of the court administrator, who shall make prompt payment thereon.  The office of the court administrator shall keep a record of all payments or waivers made pursuant to this section and of all repayments made pursuant to section twenty-seven E, including therein the name of the party, his attorney if any, the names and addresses of the person or persons to whom payment is made, the dates each was rendered to the party and the charge for each, and the dates payment was made by the office of the court administrator. This record shall be a public record.  The office of the court administrator shall on or before December first of each year make a written report to the general court indicating the amounts and purposes of all expenditures under sections twenty-seven A to twenty-seven G, inclusive, and making such recommendations for change in the law as he deems necessary.
MA Gen L ch 262 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 262 - Fees of Certain Officers|Section 2 - Fees of Clerks of District and Boston Municipal Court Departments in Civil Actions

Section 2. The fees of the clerks of the district and Boston municipal court departments of the trial court in civil actions, shall be as follows:  For the entry of a complaint, third-party complaint, petition or other action, and for the filing of a motion to intervene as plaintiff, $180.  For the entry of supplementary proceedings under chapter 224, $30, which, together with the fees of witnesses and officers in the proceedings, shall be allowed the creditor as costs.  For the entry of a claim of trial by the superior court under section 104 of chapter 231, $180.  For approving or disapproving by the court of sureties on bonds or recognizances, $60.  For the entry of a civil appeal in the appellate division of the district court department, $180.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the entry of a complaint, petition, appeal or other action by the commonwealth, no fee shall be paid; but, if the commonwealth prevails in the action, the fee shall be taxed against the other party.
MA Gen L ch 262 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 262 - Fees of Certain Officers|Section 3 - Special Justices

Section 3. A special justice, when not holding court shall be paid by the commonwealth two dollars for each summons or process issued by him, and for each application for a warrant entertained by him.
MA Gen L ch 262 § 3a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 262 - Fees of Certain Officers|Section 3a - Child Support Collection Services; Fee

Section 3A. The district court department shall impose a fee for child support collection services furnished under chapter two hundred and seventy-three, two hundred and seventy-three A or any other chapter in which an individual may be ordered to pay support on behalf of another. The amount of the fee and the manner in which it is imposed shall be in accordance with the provisions of 42 USC Secs. 651 to 660, inclusive, of the Social Security Act.
MA Gen L ch 262 § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 262 - Fees of Certain Officers|Section 4 - Fees of Clerks of Supreme Judicial, County and Appeals Courts

Section 4. The fees of the clerks of the supreme judicial court for the commonwealth and for each of the counties and for the appeals court shall be as follows:  for the entry of a complaint, petition, appeal or other action, $300;  for the filing of an application for further appellate review, $270; and  for the issuance of an injunction or restraining order, $90.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fee shall be paid for the entry of an appeal, petition, complaint or other action and for the filing of an application for further appellate review by the commonwealth and no fee shall be charged to the commonwealth for the issuance of an injunction or restraining order, but if the commonwealth prevails in the action, the fees shall be taxed against the other party.
MA Gen L ch 262 § 4a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title VI - Costs and Fees|Chapter 262 - Fees of Certain Officers|Section 4a - Clerks of Superior Court Department

Section 4A. The fees of clerks of court of the superior court department of the trial court shall be as follows:  for the entry in the superior court department of the trial court of a complaint, third-party complaint, petition or other action and for the filing of a motion to intervene as plaintiff, $240;  for the filing of a petition to the county commissioners, $30, except that no fee shall be required from a municipality filing a petition to the county commissioners for the county in which it is located; and  for the issuance of an injunction or restraining order, $90.  The clerk shall collect, for every civil case, a $20 security fee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fee shall be paid for the entry of a complaint, petition or other action by the commonwealth and no fee shall be charged to the commonwealth for the issuance of an injunction or restraining order, but if the commonwealth prevails in the action, the fees shall be taxed against the other party.