Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 251, § 1 (2026)

Validity of agreements; non-applicability to collective bargaining agreements

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 1. A written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration or a provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter arising between the parties shall be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to collective bargaining agreements to arbitrate, which are subject to the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty C, except as provided by the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty-two.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 72 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1965–2026 · leading case: Miller v. Cotter, 448 Mass. 671 (Mass. 2007).

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Miller v. Cotter, 448 Mass. 671 (Mass. 2007). · cites it 3× “The Massachusetts Act also allows for proceedings in the Superior Court to compel arbitration in accordance with the terms of an arbitration agreement, and permits an interlocutory appeal from orders denying an application to compel arbitration.”

Waithaka v. Amazon.com, Inc., 966 F.3d 10 (1st Cir. 2020). “22 22 Amazon argues that Massachusetts interprets its own Arbitration Act, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 251, § 1 , identically to the FAA, and so, in light of Concepcion and Italian Colors, even if Massachusetts law applied, any public policy against class waivers would give way to…”

McInnes v. LPL Fin., LLC, 994 N.E.2d 790 (Mass. 2013). · cites it 2× “Arbitration agreements in Massachusetts are governed by the MAA, G. L. c. 251, §§ 1 et seq., and where the contract involves a transaction affecting interstate commerce, by the FAA, 9 U.”

Floors, Inc. v. B. G. Danis of New England, Inc., 401 N.E.2d 839 (Mass. 1980). · cites it 2× “We agree with this reasoning. Arbitration provides a simplified procedure for the settling of commercial disputes.”

City of Lawrence v. Falzarano, 402 N.E.2d 1017 (Mass. 1980). “G. L. c. 251, § 1. The question whether the termination of the contract on May 26, 1972, served to revoke the theretofore valid arbitration agreement 12 was not briefed or argued in the trial court or on appeal, and thus has been waived.”

St. Fleur v. WPI Cable Sys./Mutron, 879 N.E.2d 27 (Mass. 2008). “The Massachusetts Act, G. L. c. 251, § 1, provides in part: “A written agreement to submit any existing controversy *350 to arbitration or a provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter arising between the parties shall be valid,…”

Chase Com. Corp. v. Owen, 588 N.E.2d 705 (Mass. App. Ct. 1992). “See G. L. c. 251, § 1; Kearsarge Metallurgical Corp.”

Warfield v. Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr., Inc., 910 N.E.2d 317 (Mass. 2009). “The Massachusetts Arbitration Act (MAA), G. L. c. 251, § 1, in turn, provides in pertinent part: “A written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration or a provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter arising between the…”

Brennan v. King, 139 F.3d 258 (1st Cir. 1998). “Similarly, the Massachusetts law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 251, § 1 , states: A written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration or a provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter arising between the parties shall be valid,…”

Hague v. Piva, 808 N.E.2d 843 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004). · cites it 2× “” G. L. c. 251, § 1, as appearing in St. 1991, c.”

Walker v. Collyer, 9 N.E.3d 854 (Mass. App. Ct. 2014). “The Superior Court affirmed the arbitrator’s decision requiring that Walker submit to the arbitration proceeding. Walker appeals. 9 Analysis.”

Coady v. Ashcraft & Gerel, 996 F. Supp. 95 (D. Mass. 1998). · cites it 2× “This Court must first determine whether the Massachusetts Uniform Arbitration Act, Mass.Gen.Laws ch. 251, § 1 ei seq. or the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.”

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