Court Opinion

ID: 6449130
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 12:28:15.692653+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:52:54.874627
License: Public Domain

The defendant town took by eminent domain a parcel of the plaintiff’s land, and in 1972 the plaintiff sued for damages under G. L. c. 79, § 14. In July, 1973, the town’s motion to claim jury trial was allowed. Statute 1973, c. 983, § 1, amended G. L. c. 79, § 22, to provide for trial by a *958judge of the Superior Court sitting without a jury and for subsequent trial de nova before another judge sitting with a jury. Before trial in April, 1974, the judge expressed the opinion that the amendment would be applicable, and both parties signed and filed waivers of jury trial. After trial the town requested trial by jury de nova, pursuant to G. L. c. 79, § 22. After hearing, on motion, the request was ordered struck, and the town’s bill of exceptions was ordered treated as a notice of appeal under Mass. R. Civ. P. 1A, 365 Mass. 845, effective July 1,1974. The case was transferred to this court on our own motion under G. L. c. 211A, § 10 (A). There was no error. The judge’s order imports a finding that the town’s waiver of jury trial was not limited to trial in the first instance. The order striking the town’s request is affirmed, and judgment is to be entered on the judge’s finding.
William J. Flynn,. Jr., Town Counsel, for the defendant.
Philip M. Cronin for the plaintiff.

So ordered.