Mass. Gen. Laws » Part II Title III Chapter 209A
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 209A, § 2 (2026)

Venue

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 2. Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard and determined in the superior court department or the Boston municipal court department or respective divisions of the probate and family or district court departments having venue over the plaintiff's residence. If the plaintiff has left a residence or household to avoid abuse, such plaintiff shall have the option of commencing an action in the court having venue over such prior residence or household, or in the court having venue over the present residence or household.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1993–2026 · leading case: M.B. v. J.b, 13 N.E.3d 1009 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014).
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M.B. v. J.b, 13 N.E.3d 1009 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014). · cites it 5× “See G. L. c. 209A, § 2. The probate judge who heard the divorce and the ex parte motion denied J.”
A.T. v. C.R., 39 N.E.3d 744 (Mass. App. Ct. 2015). “Contrast G. L. c. 209A, § 2, under which the Juvenile Court Department has no authority to issue any such orders.”
Commonwealth v. Morse, 740 N.E.2d 998 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000). “” See G. L. c. 209A, § 2 (relief is “not to exceed one year”).”
S.T. v. E.M., 953 N.E.2d 269 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). “See G. L. c. 209A, § 2. A judge should not, sua sponte and over objection, discontinue an abuse prevention proceeding because he believes it should move to another forum — whether that forum is mediation, a criminal court, or another Trial Court department.”
Sommi v. Ayer, 744 N.E.2d 679 (Mass. App. Ct. 2001). “at 598 , and, consequently, gave parties seeking protective orders a wide choice of courts in which to pursue petitions, G. L. c. 209A, § 2 3 ; Zullo v. Goguen, 423 Mass.”
M.B. v. J.B., No. AC 13-P-204 (Mass. App. Ct. Aug. 7, 2014). · cites it 4× “See G. L. c. 209A, § 2. The probate judge who heard the divorce and the ex parte motion denied J.”
Makarevich, No. 1:25-cv-12042 (D. Mass. Jan. 27, 2026). “” Mass. Gen. Laws. c. 209A, § 2. Makarevich’s final two claims, Mass.”
A.T. v. C.R., No. AC 14-P-1408 (Mass. App. Ct. Oct. 16, 2015). “26 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, came to the same 10 Contrast G. L. c. 209A, § 2, under which the Juvenile Court Department has no authority to issue any such orders.”
Burrill v. Burrill, 1993 Mass. App. Div. 178 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. 1993). “Such inquiry must be answered in the negative in view of G.L.c. 209A, §2 which provides that abuse prevention proceedings “shall be filed, heard and determined” in either the superior court, 1 probate court or district and municipal court departments.”
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