§ 1 Persons entitled to summary process
§ 1A Land or tenements used for residential purposes; action by lessor under this chapter to recover possession; conditions and restrictions
§ 2 Jurisdiction; venue; form of writ
§ 2A Reprisal for reporting violations of law, for tenant’s union activity, or actions taken pursuant to laws protecting tenants who are victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking; defense; presumption
§ 3 Judgment and execution; costs; appeal
§ 4 Storage of property removed; notice of presence and condition of animals; liens and enforcement; penalties
§ 5 Appeal; bond; actions thereon; waiver; appeal of waiver or periodic payments; notice of decision
§ 6 Condition of bond in action for possession after foreclosure of mortgage; after purchase
§ 6A Condition of bond after foreclosure of tax title
§ 7 Judgments; effect
§ 8 Three years quiet possession; effect
§ 8A Rent withholding; grounds; amount claimed; presumptions and burden of proof; procedures
§ 9 Stay of proceedings
§ 10 Stay of proceedings; hearings
§ 11 Stay of proceedings; deposit of applicant
§ 12 Stay of proceedings; validity of waiver in lease
§ 13 Stay of proceedings; costs
§ 14 Inspection of property for presence of abandoned animals

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 239 - Summary Process for Possession of Land

  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.