§ 1 Waste; persons entitled to maintain; jury trial
§ 2 Actions of tort in nature of waste; persons entitled to maintain
§ 3 Actions in tort in nature of waste; when maintainable against representatives
§ 4 Triple damages for waste; liability of co-tenant
§ 5 Actions for triple damages
§ 6 Triple damages for waste during pendency of action for recovery of land
§ 7 Willful trespass to trees, etc.; damages
§ 7A Agricultural or horticultural land; theft or destruction; treble damages
§ 7B Damage by off-highway or recreational vehicle to field crops or agricultural property; treble damages; definitions
§ 8 Involuntary trespass; tender of damages
§ 9 Enjoining waste; jurisdiction; bond

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 242 - Waste and Trespass

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • 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.
  • Dower: A widow
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Life estate: A property interest limited in duration to the life of the individual holding the interest (life tenant).
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.