Section 5. Such action shall be prosecuted in the same manner as if the plaintiff, at the time of commencing the action, had made an actual entry on the land demanded and had been immediately ousted by the defendant. In a trial upon the general issue, if the plaintiff proves that he is entitled to the estate set forth in the complaint and that he had a right of entry on the day when the action was commenced, he shall recover the land unless the defendant proves a better title in himself.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 237 sec. 5

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.