Massachusetts General Laws ch. 12 sec. 5I – Awards of attorney general fees and expenses; awards of costs and attorney fees against relators; liability
Section 5I. (1) If the attorney general initiates an action or assumes control of an action brought by a person pursuant to sections 5B to 5O, inclusive, the attorney general shall be awarded his reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses incurred in the litigation, including costs, if he prevails in the action.
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 12 sec. 5I
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
(2) If the attorney general does not proceed with an action pursuant to sections 5B to 5O, inclusive, and the defendant is the prevailing party, the court may award the defendant reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs against the relator upon a written finding that such action was pursued in bad faith or was wholly insubstantial, frivolous, and advanced for the purpose of causing the defendant undue burden, unnecessary expense or harassment.
(3) No liability shall be incurred by the commonwealth, the affected agency or the attorney general for any expenses, attorney’s fees or other costs incurred by any person in bringing or defending an action under said sections 5B to 5O, inclusive.