Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 185c - Housing Court Department
Section 4 - Sittings of Court

Section 4. The western division of the housing court department shall hold its sittings in the city of Springfield in Hampden county and at least 1 sitting each week in courthouse facilities in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court may consider expedient or convenient.
The eastern division of the housing court department shall hold at least 1 sitting each week in Suffolk county and at least 1 sitting each week in Middlesex county. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court department may consider expedient or convenient.
The central division of the housing court department shall hold at least 1 sitting each week in the city of Worcester, at least 1 sitting each week in Middlesex county, at least 1 sitting each week in northern Worcester county and at least 1 sitting each week in southern Worcester county. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court department may consider expedient or convenient.
The northeastern division of the housing court department shall hold at least 2 sittings each week in Essex county and at least 2 sittings each week in Middlesex county. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court department may consider expedient or convenient.
The southeastern division of the housing court department shall hold at least 3 sittings each week in Bristol county, at least 1 sitting each week in Plymouth county and at least 1 sitting each week in Barnstable county. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court department may consider expedient or convenient.
The metro south division of the housing court department shall hold at least 1 sitting each week in Norfolk county and at least 1 sitting each week in Plymouth county. The court, with the consent of the chief justice of the trial court, shall also sit in any other courthouse facilities as the chief justice of the housing court department may consider expedient or convenient.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations

Title I - Title to Real Property

Chapter 185c - Housing Court Department

Section 1 - Housing Court Department; Composition; Definitions

Section 2 - Superior and General Jurisdiction; Presumption; Processes

Section 3 - Concurrent Jurisdiction; Powers of Superior Court Department; Enforcement Authority

Section 4 - Sittings of Court

Section 5 - Time for Transaction of Business

Section 6 - Seal

Section 7 - Rules and Forms of Procedure

Section 8 - Justices; Appointment; Disputes Between Justices and Clerks; Appeals; Removal

Section 8a - Chief Justice Authority and Responsibility

Section 8b - Deputy Court Administrator

Section 9 - Clerks; Appointment; Disputes Between Justices and Clerks

Section 9a - Salaries of Clerks and Assistant Clerks; Practice of Law

Section 10 - Temporary Clerks

Section 11 - Assistant Clerks

Section 12 - Oath of Office of Clerks

Section 13 - Bond of Clerks

Section 14 - Powers and Duties of Clerks

Section 15 - Court Officers

Section 16 - Housing Specialists

Section 17 - Practice of Law by Clerks or Housing Specialists

Section 18 - Recording System; Procurement of Law Books, Stationery, Etc.

Section 19 - Commencement of Proceedings; Fees; Non-Willful Offense Deemed Non-Criminal

Section 20 - Transfer of Civil Actions

Section 21 - Trial Without Jury; Exception; Report of Inspector as Prima Facie Evidence

Section 22 - Entry of Judgment or Order

Section 23 - Bond of Receiver