Section 53. No such suit in equity shall be abated by reason of the non-joinder of persons liable as defendants unless the plaintiff, after being notified by plea or answer of the existence of such persons, unreasonably neglects to make them parties.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 158 sec. 53

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
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