# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 7: Hearing; judgment

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S7

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 7
- **Heading:** Hearing; judgment
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XIII / Chapter 80A / Section 7

## Text

Section 7. If any person in his answer denies the right of the petitioner to make the improvement or to take or damage his property, or to levy an assessment thereon, or impugns the validity or regularity of the proceedings, the court shall forthwith hear and determine the issue thus raised, and may order the petition dismissed or may enter an order establishing the right of the petitioner to take the real estate, or interest therein, described in the order for the purpose therein stated and to assess betterments as therein set forth, or may enter such other order as law and justice may require. If the court does not order the petition dismissed, and one or more of the respondents allege exceptions or appeal to the supreme judicial court or the matter is reported to the supreme judicial court, further proceedings shall not be stayed unless the justice who heard and determined the matter so directs. If no such issue is raised by any person in his answer, the court shall, on motion of the petitioner, enter an order establishing the right of the petitioner to take the real estate, or interest therein, described in the order for the purpose therein stated and to assess betterments as therein set forth. An order under this section establishing the right of the petitioner to take property or to assess betterments shall be final and conclusive as to the validity of the proceedings up to the date of the adoption of such order.

Section 7. If any person in his answer denies the right of the petitioner to make the improvement or to take or damage his property, or to levy an assessment thereon, or impugns the validity or regularity of the proceedings, the court shall forthwith hear and determine the issue thus raised, and may order the petition dismissed or may enter an order establishing the right of the petitioner to take the real estate, or interest therein, described in the order for the purpose therein stated and to assess betterments as therein set forth, or may enter such other order as law and justice may require. If the court does not order the petition dismissed, and one or more of the respondents allege exceptions or appeal to the supreme judicial court or the matter is reported to the supreme judicial court, further proceedings shall not be stayed unless the justice who heard and determined the matter so directs. If no such issue is raised by any person in his answer, the court shall, on motion of the petitioner, enter an order establishing the right of the petitioner to take the real estate, or interest therein, described in the order for the purpose therein stated and to assess betterments as therein set forth. An order under this section establishing the right of the petitioner to take property or to assess betterments shall be final and conclusive as to the validity of the proceedings up to the date of the adoption of such order.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 1 Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 2 Order of intention; contents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 3 Order of intention; additional provisions; notice of adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 4 Petition to take property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 5 Answer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 6 Default judgments; appointment of guardians](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 7 Hearing; judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 8 Arbitration of disputes; appointment of commissioners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 9 Redetermination of damages; procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 10 Final adjudication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 11 Abandonment or discontinuance of proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 12 Transfer of property; interest transferred; payment of compensation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 13 Taxation of costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S13.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 14 Assessment of improvements; assessment lien; effective date](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.