reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 231 § 42 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 42 - Endorsement of Pleading or Process Before Filing or Entry; Residence

Section 42. Any initial pleading or process by which an action is commenced by a plaintiff who is not an inhabitant of the commonwealth, shall before the filing or entry thereof, be endorsed by a responsible person who is such an inhabitant; but if one of the plaintiffs is such an inhabitant, the pleading or process need not be so endorsed. Every endorser, in case of avoidance or inability of the plaintiff, shall be liable to pay all costs awarded against the plaintiff if an action therefor is commenced within one year after the original judgment.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 43 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 43 - Late Endorsement of Pleading or Process

Section 43. If a plaintiff, not an inhabitant of the commonwealth, fails, by accident, mistake or inadvertence, to have his pleading or process endorsed as required by the preceding section, the court may at any stage of the case, upon terms, allow him to procure an endorser with the same effect as if the pleading or process had been endorsed before the filing or entry thereof.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 44 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 44 - Endorsement When Plaintiff Removes From Commonwealth

Section 44. If, after the commencement of a proceeding mentioned in section forty-two, the plaintiff removes from the commonwealth, the court, upon motion of any other party, shall, and of its own motion may, require the plaintiff to procure a responsible endorser.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 45 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 45 - Procuring New Responsible Endorser

Section 45. If an endorser removes from the commonwealth or ceases to be responsible, the court may require the plaintiff to procure a responsible endorser.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 47 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 47 - Dismissal on Failure to Obtain Endorser

Section 47. If a plaintiff fails to procure an endorser according to the order of the court, his action shall be dismissed and the defendant or other party shall recover his costs.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 48 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 48 - Substitute Endorser

Section 48. The court may permit the name of an endorser to be stricken out and a new and responsible endorser substituted. Every endorser shall be liable for costs from the commencement of the action.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 51 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 51 - Amendments as to Parties, Process or Pleading

Section 51. In all civil proceedings, the court may at any time, allow amendments adding a party, discontinuing as to a party or changing the form of the action, and may allow any other amendment in matter of form or substance in any process, pleading or proceeding, which may enable the plaintiff to sustain the action for the cause or for recovery for the injury for which the action was intended to be brought, or enable the defendant to make a legal defense. Any amendment allowed pursuant to this section or pursuant to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure shall relate to the original pleading.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 52 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 52 - Amendment After Demurrer

Section 52. In all civil proceedings which are not governed by the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure or by the District-Municipal Courts Rules of Civil Procedure, the court may allow a party to whose pleadings a demurrer has been filed to amend, upon terms, within such time as it orders.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 58a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 58a - Notice of Default to Company Issuing Motor Vehicle Liability Policy or Bond; Assessment of Damages Deferred

Section 58A. Damages shall not be assessed, except by special order of the court, in an action in which payment of the judgment is secured by a motor vehicle liability policy or a motor vehicle liability bond, both as defined in section thirty-four A of chapter ninety, and wherein the defendant has been defaulted for failure to enter an appearance, until the expiration of four days after the plaintiff has given notice of such default to the company issuing or executing such policy or bond, and has filed an affidavit thereof. Such notice may be given by mailing the same, postage prepaid, to the said company or to its agent who issued or executed such policy or bond.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59a - Advancing Action for Speedy Trial

Section 59A. In any action before the supreme judicial court or superior court, the court may, on motion for cause shown, advance the action for a speedy trial. If the court finds that the plaintiff seeks to recover solely for his personal labor, with or without interest, the court shall, upon motion, advance such action for speedy trial.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59c - Request of Either Party

Section 59C. An action pending before the superior court which alleges malpractice, error or mistake against a physician, surgeon, dentist, optometrist, hospital or sanitarium shall, at the request of either party, be advanced by the court so that it may be heard and determined with as little delay as possible.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59d - Speedy Trial of Actions Involving Election Laws

Section 59D. An action commenced in any court of this commonwealth to determine the results of an election, primary or caucus, or to enforce, determine the meaning or application of any of the provisions of chapters fifty to fifty-four A, inclusive, on motion of any party thereto, shall be advanced by the court for speedy trial so that it may be heard and determined with as little delay as possible.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59e - Request of Either Party

Section 59E. At the request of any party a proceeding brought to determine the validity of any action taken by a housing authority or a redevelopment authority under chapters one hundred and twenty-one or one hundred and twenty-one A or under section thirteen of chapter six hundred and fifty-two of the acts of nineteen hundred and sixty shall be advanced for speedy hearing.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59f (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59f - Speedy Trial for Persons Sixty-Five Years of Age or Older

Section 59F. In any civil action in any court of the commonwealth in which one or more of the parties at the time of commencement of the proceeding is sixty-five years of age or older or during the pendency of the proceeding attains the age of sixty-five, the court shall, upon motion of such person, advance the proceeding for speedy trial so that it may be heard and determined with as little delay as possible.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59g (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59g - Dismissal for Failure to File a Timely Request for Trial; Vacation of Judgment

Section 59G. After notice of judgement a judgement of dismissal for failure to file a timely request for trial entered in an action in the district court shall be vacated upon the filing of a motion therefor within thirty days from entry of said judgement together with a request for trial. Such vacation of judgement shall take effect upon the filing of such motion and request for trial, and upon such vacation the original date of commencement of such action shall control for the purpose of determining compliance with time limitations for actions set forth in chapter two hundred and sixty. The term ''district court'' as used in this section shall include the Boston municipal court department and any division of the district court department.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 59h (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 59h - Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation; Special Motion to Dismiss

Section 59H. In any case in which a party asserts that the civil claims, counterclaims, or cross claims against said party are based on said party's exercise of its right of petition under the constitution of the United States or of the commonwealth, said party may bring a special motion to dismiss. The court shall advance any such special motion so that it may be heard and determined as expeditiously as possible. The court shall grant such special motion, unless the party against whom such special motion is made shows that: (1) the moving party's exercise of its right to petition was devoid of any reasonable factual support or any arguable basis in law and (2) the moving party's acts caused actual injury to the responding party. In making its determination, the court shall consider the pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts upon which the liability or defense is based.  The attorney general, on his behalf or on behalf of any government agency or subdivision to which the moving party's acts were directed, may intervene to defend or otherwise support the moving party on such special motion.  All discovery proceedings shall be stayed upon the filing of the special motion under this section; provided, however, that the court, on motion and after a hearing and for good cause shown, may order that specified discovery be conducted. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the special motion.  Said special motion to dismiss may be filed within sixty days of the service of the complaint or, in the court's discretion, at any later time upon terms it deems proper.  If the court grants such special motion to dismiss, the court shall award the moving party costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including those incurred for the special motion and any related discovery matters. Nothing in this section shall affect or preclude the right of the moving party to any remedy otherwise authorized by law.  As used in this section, the words ''a party's exercise of its right of petition'' shall mean any written or oral statement made before or submitted to a legislative, executive, or judicial body, or any other governmental proceeding; any written or oral statement made in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative, executive, or judicial body, or any other governmental proceeding; any statement reasonably likely to encourage consideration or review of an issue by a legislative, executive, or judicial body or any other governmental proceeding; any statement reasonably likely to enlist public participation in an effort to effect such consideration; or any other statement falling within constitutional protection of the right to petition government.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60c - Malpractice Complaints; Ad Damnum Prohibited

Section 60C. No writ or complaint for malpractice, error or mistake against a provider of health care shall contain an ad damnum or monetary amount claimed against such defendant.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60d - Claim by Minor Against Provider of Health Care; Limitations

Section 60D. Notwithstanding the provisions of section seven of chapter two hundred and sixty, any claim by a minor against a health care provider stemming from professional services or health care rendered, whether in contract or tort, based on an alleged act, omission or neglect shall be commenced within three years from the date the cause of action accrues, except that a minor under the full age of six years shall have until his ninth birthday in which the action may be commenced, but in no event shall any such action be commenced more than seven years after occurrence of the act or omission which is the alleged cause of the injury upon which such action is based except where the action is based upon the leaving of a foreign object in the body.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60e - Malpractice Action; Professional Examination of Claimant

Section 60E. In any civil action for malpractice, error or mistake against a provider of health care where an impartial medical examination has not been ordered at a hearing under the provisions of section sixty B, the presiding justice at a trial may upon the application of either party or upon his own decision appoint an impartial and qualified physician or surgeon or other related professional person or expert to conduct any necessary professional or expert examination of the claimant or relevant evidentiary matter and to report to or testify as a witness thereto. Such a witness shall be allowed traveling expenses and a reasonable fee to be fixed by said justice.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60h (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60h - Limitation of Damages for Pain and Suffering

Section 60H. In any action for malpractice, negligence, error, omission, mistake or the unauthorized rendering of professional services, other than actions brought under section two of chapter two hundred and twenty-nine, against a provider of health care, the court shall instruct the jury that in the event they find the defendant liable, they shall not award the plaintiff more than five hundred thousand dollars for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, embarrassment and other items of general damages unless the jury determines that there is a substantial or permanent loss or impairment of a bodily function or substantial disfigurement, or other special circumstances in the case which warrant a finding that imposition of such a limitation would deprive the plaintiff of just compensation for the injuries sustained. In any such action which is tried without a jury, the court shall not award the plaintiff more than five hundred thousand dollars for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, embarrassment and other items of general damages unless the aforesaid findings are made specially by the court and stated separately in the judgment entered by the court. Except in those cases where the aforesaid findings are made, if two or more plaintiffs have received verdicts or findings of such damages in a total amount, for all plaintiffs claiming damages from a single occurrence, transaction, act of malpractice, or injury which exceeds five hundred thousand dollars, the amount of such damages recoverable by each plaintiff will be reduced to a percentage of five hundred thousand dollars proportionate to that plaintiff's share of the total amount of such damages for all plaintiffs. Such limit shall apply, except in those cases where the aforesaid findings are made, regardless of the number of persons liable jointly or severally for the said damages.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60i (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60i - Attorney Fees; Limitations on Contingency Fees

Section 60I. Attorney fees for services rendered on behalf of a claimant or defendant in a medical negligence case shall be fair and reasonable. An attorney representing a claimant may charge a client a contingency fee, which shall be subject to the rules and guidelines of the supreme judicial court. No contingent fee agreement, shall be enforced, and no attorney shall recover a fee thereunder, as a result of services rendered in an action against a provider of health care for malpractice, negligence, error, omission, mistake, or the unauthorized rendering of professional services if, at the time of judgment, the court determines that the amount of the recovery paid or to be paid to the plaintiff, after deduction of the attorney's reasonable expenses and disbursements for which the plaintiff is liable and the amount of the attorney's fee, is less than the total amount of the plaintiff's unpaid past and future medical expenses included in the recovery, unless the contingent attorney's fee: (a) is twenty per cent or less of the plaintiff's recovery; (b) is reduced to twenty per cent or less of the plaintiff's recovery; or (c) is reduced to a level which permits the plaintiff to be paid his unpaid past and future medical expenses included in the recovery.  An attorney shall not contract for or collect a contingent fee for representing any person seeking damages in connection with an action for malpractice, negligence, error, omission, mistake, or the unauthorized rendering of professional services against a provider of health care in excess of the following limits:  (1) Forty per cent of the first one hundred and fifty thousand dollars recovered;  (2) Thirty-three and one-third per cent of the next one hundred and fifty thousand dollars recovered;  (3) Thirty per cent of the next two hundred thousand dollars recovered;  (4) Twenty-five per cent of any amount by which the recovery exceeds five hundred thousand dollars.  The limitations shall apply regardless of whether the recovery is by settlement, arbitration or judgment. Nothing herein shall preclude any attorney from contracting to represent a client for less than the above limits, nor shall anything herein preclude a court from assessing reasonable attorney's fees at any amount below the above limits or from determining that attorney's fees below such limits are unreasonably high in a particular case.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60j (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60j - Negligence Actions for Serving Alcoholic Beverages to Minors or Intoxicated Persons; Summary Judgments

Section 60J. Every action for negligence in the distribution, sale or serving of alcoholic beverages to a minor or to an intoxicated person shall be commenced in the superior court department and shall proceed according to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise provided for by this section.  The plaintiff shall file, together with his complaint, or at such later time not to exceed ninety days thereafter, an affidavit setting forth sufficient facts to raise a legitimate question of liability appropriate for judicial inquiry.  Any party may make a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 of the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure. Any such motion shall be heard and decided promptly after issue is joined as to any party, unless the court enlarges the time for discovery. Said enlarged time for discovery shall not exceed ninety days, except on further order of the court.  On or within thirty days of filing a notice of appeal from summary judgment adverse to a plaintiff, the plaintiff shall file a bond in the amount of two thousand dollars for each adverse party on appeal secured by cash or its equivalent with the clerk of the appellate court in which the case is pending. Said bond shall be payable to the named adverse party or parties for costs assessed and attorney fees on appeal, if the appellant does not prevail on appeal. Upon motion filed by the plaintiff, and a determination by a single justice of the appellate court that the plaintiff is indigent, said justice may reduce or eliminate the amount of the bond.  If a judgment is entered for a plaintiff, the court shall report its judgment to the alcoholic beverages control commission.
MA Gen L ch 231 § 60k (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein|Chapter 231 - Pleading and Practice|Section 60k - Actions for Malpractice, Negligence, Etc. Against Health Care Providers; Damages; Rate of Interest

Section 60K. In any action for malpractice, negligence, error, omission, mistake or unauthorized rendering of professional services, other than actions brought under section 2 of Chapter 229, against a provider of health care, in which a verdict is rendered or a finding made or an order for judgment made for pecuniary damages for personal injuries to the plaintiff or for consequential damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest thereon, at a rate to be determined as set forth below rather than the rate specified in section 6B of chapter 231, from the date of the commencement of the action even though such interest brings the amount of the verdict or finding beyond the maximum liability imposed by law. For all actions commenced after the effective date of this act, the rate of interest to be applied by the clerk shall be at a rate equal to the weekly average 1–year constant maturity Treasury yield plus 2 per cent, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the calendar week preceding the date of judgment. At no point shall the rate of interest established by this section exceed the rate of interest set forth in said section 6B of chapter 231.