Section 54. If, in an action against a corporation, it appears to the court that one of the objects of the action is to obtain a judgment against the corporation in order to enforce an alleged liability of a person who has been or is a stockholder or officer thereof, any such person may be permitted, on petition, to defend such action, and in such case the court may require of him or of a person in his behalf, a bond with sufficient surety or sureties, conditioned to pay to the plaintiff all costs which may accrue and be taxed to him after the filing of said petition.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 158 - Certain Miscellaneous Corporations
Section 1 - Application of Chapter; Secretary Defined
Section 3 - Corporations Formed to Furnish Steam, Hot Water, or Hydrostatic or Pneumatic Pressure
Section 4 - Number of Incorporators; Capital
Section 5 - Contents of Agreement of Association
Section 7 - Subscribers to Hold Franchise; Distribution of Shares
Section 9 - Submission of Details of Organization to Secretary; Approval; Certificate
Section 10 - Business Powers of Corporation
Section 11 - Alteration, Addition to or Change of Business
Section 12 - Digging Up or Opening Streets or Highways; Qualified Corporations
Section 13 - Highway Defects Caused by Corporation; Liability
Section 14 - Pipes or Conductors in Street; Regulation by Municipality
Section 15 - Corporations for Introduction and Propagation of Herrings and Alewives; Local Permit
Section 17 - Safe Deposit Boxes; Definitions; Insurance Notice; Overdue Rentals; Affidavit
Section 18 - Management by Officers; Selection of President
Section 19 - Selection of Directors, Clerk, Treasurer and Other Agents and Officers; Term
Section 20 - Clerk's Duties; Treasurer's Bond
Section 21 - Entitlement to Stock Certificates
Section 22 - Lost Certificates
Section 23 - Special Charter Corporations; Fixing and Limiting of Capital Stock
Section 24 - Increase or Reduction of Capital Stock
Section 26 - Employees' Stock; Issuance
Section 27 - Employees' Stock; Dividends
Section 28 - Employees' Stock; Transfer; Redemption; Limitation Upon Number of Shares
Section 29 - Assessment Upon Shares
Section 30 - Failure to Pay Assessment; Sale of Shares
Section 31 - Notice of Sale; Transfer of Shares Sold
Section 32 - Commencement of Business; Payment of Capital Stock
Section 33 - Payment for Capital Stock
Section 36 - Correction of Defective Proceedings; Procedure
Section 37 - Annual Certificate of Condition
Section 38 - Failure to File Annual Certificate; Dissolution
Section 39 - Certificate of Increase of Capital Stock; Filing
Section 40 - Certificate of Reduction of Capital Stock; Filing
Section 41 - Submission of Certificate to Secretary; Approval; Filing; Fee
Section 42 - Penalties for Omitting to File Certificates
Section 44 - Officers; Liability for Debts and Contracts
Section 45 - Members or Stockholders; Liability for Debts and Contracts
Section 46 - Conditions to Liability
Section 47 - Right of Judgment Creditor to Officer and Shareholder List
Section 48 - Refusal to Give List; False List; Penalty
Section 49 - Bill in Equity Against Officers and Stockholders
Section 50 - Proportionate Assessment of Shareholders
Section 51 - Death of a Defendant
Section 52 - Dismissal; Notice
Section 53 - Non-Joinder of Parties; Abatement
Section 54 - Defense by Officer or Stockholder of Action Against Corporation