Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231A, § 9 (2026)

Purpose and construction of declaratory judgment provisions

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 9. This chapter is declared to be remedial. Its purpose is to remove, and to afford relief from, uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, duties, status and other legal relations, and it is to be liberally construed and administered. Nothing in this chapter shall be held to affect the jurisdiction of the land court, and the procedure established hereby shall be in addition to any other procedure for declaratory relief.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 37 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: Recinos v. Escobar, 46 N.E.3d 60 (Mass. 2016).

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Recinos v. Escobar, 46 N.E.3d 60 (Mass. 2016). “The plaintiff also argues that the Probate and Family Court has jurisdiction to enter declaratory relief under G. L. c. 231A, § 9, and that it is an appropriate method to enter the special findings for SIJ status.”

Babson v. Babson, 371 N.E.2d 430 (Mass. 1977). · cites it 3× “G.L.c. 231A, § 9. Pursuant to our liberal construction of G.”

Timothy Braley v. William Bates., 100 Mass. App. Ct. 259 (Mass. App. Ct. 2021). · cites it 2× “" G. L. c. 231A, § 9. As it pertains to administrative agencies, the statute "may be used in the superior court to enjoin and to obtain a determination of the legality of the administrative practices and procedures of any municipal, county or state agency or official which…”

Woods v. City of Newton, 208 N.E.2d 508 (Mass. 1965). · cites it 3× “See G. L. c. 231A, § 9. 2 Giving landowners, in cases of actual controversy, a right alternative to that given by c.”

Mass. Assoc. of Ind. Ins. Agents v. Commr. of Ins., 367 N.E.2d 796 (Mass. 1977). · cites it 2× “" G.L.c. 231A, § 9, inserted by St. 1945, c.”

Nelson v. Comm'r of Corr., 456 N.E.2d 1100 (Mass. 1983). “” G. L. c. 231A, § 9. See Jacobson v. Parks & Recreation Comm’n of Boston, 345 Mass.”

Massachusetts Ass'n of Indep. Ins. Agents & Brokers, Inc. v. Comm'r of Ins., 373 Mass. 290 (Mass. 1977). · cites it 2× “” G. L. c. 231A, § 9, inserted by St. 1945, c.”

Town of Hadley v. Town of Amherst, 360 N.E.2d 623 (Mass. 1977). “We have also been asked to define the limits of the powers granted in St. 1912, c. 484, for future instances.”

Bello v. South Shore Hosp., 429 N.E.2d 1011 (Mass. 1981). “’ G. L. c. 231A, § 9, inserted by St. 1945, c.”

LOUIS M. CAPUTO, JR., Tr., & another v. KAREN M. MOULTON & others., 102 Mass. App. Ct. 251 (Mass. App. Ct. 2023). “538, 547 (2012), quoting G. L. c. 231A, § 9 ("declaratory judgment act must be 'liberally construed,' so as to effectuate its remedial goals of 'remov[ing], and .”

Doe No. 1 v. Sec'y of Educ., 95 N.E.3d 241 (Mass. 2018). “2d 796 (1977), quoting G. L. c. 231A, § 9, inserted by St. 1945, c.”

Mucci v. Brockton Bocce Club, Inc., 472 N.E.2d 966 (Mass. App. Ct. 1985). “” G. L. c. 231A, § 9, inserted by St. 1945, c.”

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