Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XXI Chapter 150C
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11 (2026)

Vacation of award; grounds; application; rehearing

✓ current as of July 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section MAmalegislature.gov (official) JustiaChapter on Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar

Section 11. (a) Upon application of a party, the superior court shall vacate an award if:—

(1) the award was procured by corruption, fraud or other undue means;

(2) there was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral, or corruption in any of the arbitrators, or misconduct prejudicing the rights of any party;

(3) the arbitrators exceeded their powers or rendered an award requiring a person to commit an act or engage in conduct prohibited by state or federal law;

(4) the arbitrators refused to postpone the hearing upon a sufficient cause being shown therefor or refused to hear evidence material to the controversy or otherwise so conducted the hearing, contrary to the provisions of section five as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party;

(5) there was no arbitration agreement and the issue was not adversely determined in proceedings under section two and the party did not participate in the arbitration hearing without raising the objection; but the fact that the award orders reinstatement of an employee with or without back pay or grants relief such that it could not grant or would not be granted by a court of law or equity shall not be ground for vacating or refusing to confirm the award.

(b) An application under this section shall be made within thirty days after delivery of a copy of the award to the applicant, provided that, if such application is based upon a claim of corruption, fraud or other undue means it shall be made within thirty days after such grounds are known or should have been known.

(c) In vacating the award on grounds other than stated in clause (5) of paragraph (a) the court may order a rehearing before new arbitrators chosen as provided in the agreement, or in the absence thereof, by the court in accordance with section three, or if the award is vacated on grounds set forth in clause (3) or (4) of paragraph (a), the court may order a rehearing before the arbitrators who made the award or their successors appointed in accordance with section three. The time within which the agreement requires the award to be made shall be applicable to the rehearing and shall commence from the date of the order.

(d) If the application to vacate an award is denied and no motion to modify or correct the award is pending, the court shall confirm the award.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 208 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1972–2026 · leading case: Sch. Comm. of Lexington v. Zagaeski, 12 N.E.3d 384 (Mass. 2014).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Sch. Comm. of Lexington v. Zagaeski, 12 N.E.3d 384 (Mass. 2014). · cites it 11× “Under the teacher dismissal statute, judicial review of an arbitration award is limited to the grounds set forth in G. L. c. 150C, § 11. See G. L. c. 71, § 42, par.”
Atwater v. Comm'r of Educ., 957 N.E.2d 1060 (Mass. 2011). · cites it 9× “Thereafter, Atwater unsuccessfully sought to vacate the award pursuant to G. L. c. 150C, § 11. Atwater appealed, and we granted his application for direct appellate review.”
Sch. Comm. v. Robishaw, 925 N.E.2d 803 (Mass. 2010). · cites it 6× “Thereafter, a judge in the Superior Court granted the school committee’s application to vacate the arbitrator’s award pursuant to G. L. c. 150C, §§ 11 and 12, concluding that the arbitrator’s decision exceeded his authority and violated public policy.”
Sch. Comm, New Bedford v. New Bedford Educators, 405 N.E.2d 162 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980). · cites it 8× “150C, § 11( a )(3), vacating an arbitration award entered as a result of a grievance filed by Aurora Zola, alleging a failure by the plaintiff school committee to follow agreed upon procedures in filling a vacancy in the position of guidance counselor.”
Boston Hous. Auth. v. Nat'l Conf. of Firemen & Oilers, Local 3, 935 N.E.2d 1260 (Mass. 2010). · cites it 4× “In this action pursuant to G. L. c. 150C, § 11, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) seeks to vacate the award of an arbitrator who concluded that the BHA violated the minimum staffing provision of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the National Conference of Firemen…”
Sheriff of Suffolk Cnty. v. Jail Officers & Employees of Suffolk Cnty., 990 N.E.2d 1042 (Mass. 2013). · cites it 5× “” 3 The sheriff filed an appeal in the Superior Court pursuant to G. L. c. 150C, § 11, seeking to vacate the award on the ground that the order reinstating Upton exceeded the arbitrator’s authority because it was contrary to “well-defined public policy.”
Sch. Dist. of Beverly v. Geller, 755 N.E.2d 1241 (Mass. 2001). · cites it 3× “The arbitrator’s decision is subject to judicial review as provided in G.”
Sch. Comm. v. United Educators, 784 N.E.2d 11 (Mass. 2003). · cites it 3× “1 The plaintiff, the school committee of Pittsfield (school committee), appeals from a Superior Court judge’s order dismissing its application under G. L. c. 150C, § 11, to vacate an arbitration award.”
City of Boston v. Boston Police Patrolmen's Ass'n, 824 N.E.2d 855 (Mass. 2005). · cites it 3× “She reasoned that suspending DiSciullo without pay for one full year would sufficiently “impart the message that officers must be held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”
Massachusetts High. Dep't v. Am. Fed'n of State, Council 93, 648 N.E.2d 430 (Mass. 1995). · cites it 4× “On February 23, 1993, the department sought to vacate the arbitrator’s award on the ground that it “violates the Commonwealth’s explicit, well-defined, and dominant public policy against the unauthorized possession of handguns” and that under G. L. c. 150C, § 11 (a) (3) (1992…”
Concerned Min. Educators v. Sch. Comm. of Worcester, 466 N.E.2d 114 (Mass. 1984). · cites it 4× “The plaintiffs make a strong argument that the arbitrator was in error in construing art.”
Lyons v. Sch. Comm., 440 Mass. 74 (Mass. 2003). · cites it 6× “Because we conclude that there were no proper grounds for vacating the arbitration award, we vacate the judgment entered in the Superior Court, and order that judgment be entered confirming the arbitration award pursuant to G. L. c. 150C, § 11 (d). We summarize the relevant…”
Show all 208 citing cases →
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(3) — 5 cases
Adam Assocs. Int'l, Inc. v. William A. Berry & Son, Inc., 22 Mass. L. Rptr. 389 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2007).
City of Lawrence v. Lawrence Patrolman's Ass'n, 12 Mass. L. Rptr. 281 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2000).
Sch. Comm. of Lowell v. Local 159, 13 Mass. L. Rptr. 714 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2001).
Arlington Pub. Schs. v. Coughlin, 26 Mass. L. Rptr. 472 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2010).
City of Somerville v. Somerville Mun. Employees Ass'n, 5 Mass. L. Rptr. 659 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(6) — 1 case
Massachusetts Corr. Officers Federated Union v. Comm'r of Corr., 793 N.E.2d 1248 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a) — 13 cases
City of Boston v. Boston Police Patrolmen's Ass'n, 669 N.E.2d 466 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996).
Blue Hills Reg'l Dist. Sch. Comm. v. Flight, 409 N.E.2d 226 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980).
Wachusett Reg'l Dist. Sch. Comm. v. Wachusett Reg'l Teachers Ass'n, 373 N.E.2d 235 (Mass. App. Ct. 1978).
City of Boston v. Boston Police Superior Officers Fed'n, 402 N.E.2d 1098 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980).
Sheriff of Suffolk Cnty. v. AFSCME Council 93, Local 419, 861 N.E.2d 472 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a)(1) — 2 cases
Turner Fisheries, Inc. v. Seafood Workers Union I.L.A. 1572-2, 471 N.E.2d 770 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984).
Suffolk Cnty. Sheriff v. AFSCME Council 93, Local 3643, 16 Mass. L. Rptr. 511 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a)(2) — 1 case
Turner Fisheries, Inc. v. Seafood Workers Union I.L.A. 1572-2, 471 N.E.2d 770 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a)(3) — 52 cases
City of Leominster v. Int'l Bhd. of Police Officers, 596 N.E.2d 1032 (Mass. App. Ct. 1992).
Sch. Comm, New Bedford v. New Bedford Educators, 405 N.E.2d 162 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980). “150C, § 11( a )(3), vacating an arbitration award entered as a result of a grievance filed by Aurora Zola, alleging a failure by the plaintiff school committee to follow agreed upon procedures in filling a vacancy in the position of guidance counselor.”
City of Springfield v. United Pub. Serv. Employees Union, 47 N.E.3d 447 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016).
M. O'Connor Contracting, Inc. v. City of Brockton, 809 N.E.2d 1062 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004).
Sch. Dist. v. Geller, 737 N.E.2d 873 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a)(4) — 3 cases
Sheriff of Suffolk Cnty. v. AFSCME Council 93, Local 419, 861 N.E.2d 472 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007).
Allenson v. DeMoura, 18 Mass. L. Rptr. 641 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2004).
Vet.'s Transp. Servs. v. Teamsters Local Union No. 25 (D. Mass. 2019).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(a)(5) — 5 cases
Sch. Comm, New Bedford v. New Bedford Educators, 405 N.E.2d 162 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980). “150C, § 11( a )(3), vacating an arbitration award entered as a result of a grievance filed by Aurora Zola, alleging a failure by the plaintiff school committee to follow agreed upon procedures in filling a vacancy in the position of guidance counselor.”
Sear v. Cadillac Auto. Co. of Boston, 501 F. Supp. 1350 (D. Mass. 1980).
Turner Fisheries, Inc. v. Seafood Workers Union I.L.A. 1572-2, 471 N.E.2d 770 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984).
City of Lynn v. Council 93, Am. Fed'n of State, Local 193, 746 N.E.2d 558 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001).
Pine Mfg. Co. v. Int'l Ladies Garment Workers Union, Local 718, 383 N.E.2d 543 (Mass. App. Ct. 1978).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(b) — 11 cases
Local 2322, Int'l Bhd. of Elec. Workers v. Verizon New England, Inc., 464 F.3d 93 (1st Cir. 2006).
Int'l Ass'n of Bridge, Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers, Shopmen's Local Union 501 v. Burtman Iron Works, Inc., 928 F. Supp. 83 (D. Mass. 1996).
Sch. Comm. v. Duprey, 391 N.E.2d 925 (Mass. App. Ct. 1979).
Unite Here Local 26 v. Taj Hotel Boston, 731 F. Supp. 2d 95 (D. Mass. 2010).
Gish v. United Elec., Radio & Mach. Workers, 588 F. Supp. 495 (D. Mass. 1983).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(c) — 2 cases
Sch. Comm. v. Quincy Educ. Ass'n, 491 N.E.2d 672 (Mass. App. Ct. 1986).
Lowell Sch. Comm. v. United Teachers, 12 Mass. L. Rptr. 672 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2001).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(c)(3) — 2 cases
Sch. Comm, New Bedford v. New Bedford Educators, 405 N.E.2d 162 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980). “150C, § 11( a )(3), vacating an arbitration award entered as a result of a grievance filed by Aurora Zola, alleging a failure by the plaintiff school committee to follow agreed upon procedures in filling a vacancy in the position of guidance counselor.”
Comm'r of Admin. v. Local 509, Serv. Employees Int'l Union, AFL-CIO, 447 N.E.2d 683 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 150C, § 11(h) — 2 cases
Painters Local No. 257 v. Johnson Indus. Painting Contractors, 448 N.E.2d 1307 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983).
Woods v. Com. Union Ins., 753 N.E.2d 840 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.