§ 1 Power to make declaratory determination; jury questions
§ 2 Controversies to which declaratory judgment procedure is applicable
§ 3 Grounds for refusing declaratory judgment
§ 4 Review of decisions
§ 5 Further relief
§ 6 Declaratory relief in other actions
§ 7 Costs
§ 8 Necessary parties; class actions
§ 9 Purpose and construction of declaratory judgment provisions
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 231A - Procedure for Declaratory Judgments

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • 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.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.