Section 17. The provisions of this chapter relative to judgment, bond and review in actions of tort shall apply to a mixed action if the defendant or one of several defendants is absent from the commonwealth, but, as to the service of process and notice to the defendant, it shall be conducted as a real action.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases
Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein
Chapter 227 - Proceedings Against Absent Defendants and Upon Insufficient Service
Section 1 - Actions in Personam
Section 5 - Agents for Service of Process; Duty to Appoint by Certain Individuals; Penalty
Section 6 - Attachment of Realty; Dismissal of Action Upon Failure of Notice
Section 11 - Execution Levied on Land
Section 12 - Judgment in Real Actions
Section 15 - Prosecution Against Persons Served; New Action
Section 16 - Real Actions; Absence of One of Several Defendants