Product Description

MCLE is pleased to convene—for the tenth time—the Housing Court Judicial Forum 2019—back by popular request. A year ago, the jurisdiction of the Housing Court expanded to cover all cities and towns in the Commonwealth, including the opening of a new division and the expansion of the existing divisions into new towns and communities. Hear participants in the Forum engage in a lively discussion of the real world impact of that expansion, including the challenges and opportunities involved. Judges from the Eastern, Central, Metro South, Northeast and Western divisions of the Court participate in a frank dialogue with attending practitioners and review key issues confronting Housing Court practice today—including discussion of the effectiveness of policies and programs implemented over the last several years.

Under the guidance of two experienced practitioners, the panel also reviews significant developments in regulatory and case law which may affect your practice in the Housing Court.

This Forum offers you a unique opportunity to gain valuable practical insight into judicial discretion in the Housing Court. Attendees have the opportunity to ask the panel questions and hear directly from the Judges on how to better prepare and try cases. Don’t miss this valuable chance to participate in an important dialogue with members of the Housing Court.

Agenda & Materials

• 2:00 - 2:15 pm

  Welcome and Introduction

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  Catherine F. Downing, Esq., Downing Van Dyke LLC , Framingham
  James M. McCreight, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  Hon. Fairlie A. Dalton, Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Lawrence
  Hon. Robert G. Fields, Western Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Diana H. Horan, Chief Justice, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. MaryLou Muirhead,
  Hon. Timothy F. Sullivan, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  
• 2:15 - 3:15 pm

  Procedural and Administrative Issues: Presentations and Discussions

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• Vision For The Future

  Hon. Timothy F. Sullivan, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  
• Updates as to Changes to Staffing, Policies & Procedures at Divisions

  Hon. Fairlie A. Dalton, Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Lawrence
  Hon. Robert G. Fields, Western Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Diana H. Horan, Chief Justice, Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. MaryLou Muirhead,
  
• 3:15 - 3:30 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:30 - 4:20 pm

  Technology in the Courtroom: Practical and Evidentiary Issues

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  Oscar Luke is the owner of a ten unit building and rented the first floor unit to Arlene Babcock. When she moved in, she told Mr. Luke about some needed repairs inside the unit, but in the rush of moving in, both of them forgot about these repairs. Because of past issues with other tenants, he installed security cameras in the hallways of the building as well as on the front and back of the building and in the parking lot. He began receiving complaints from other residents about the behavior of Ms. Babcock’s guests, including there appeared to be excessive traffic in and out of the building. When he spoke to Ms. Babcock at her apartment, he noticed damage to the unit. He spoke to her and she said that most of those conditions had been there since she moved in. The conversation did not go well and Ms. Babcock told him that she was going to stop paying her rent until the items were fixed. After observing what he believed to be damage to the unit, and looking at the security videos, Mr. Luke decided to start an eviction action based upon damage to the unit, interference with the quiet enjoyment of other residents and non-payment of rent, since Ms. Babcock had begun to withhold rent. At trial, Mr. Luke intends to use the security video, which he has on his Surface tablet, to prove part of his case. He did print out the pictures of the alleged damages, but they are in black and white and do not show the damage as well as the photos on his cellphone. Ms. Babcock also has texts and photos on her cellphone, which she believes will show that Mr. Luke knew about the damages from the time that she moved in.

  Panel
  
• 4:20 - 5:00 pm

  “Ask the Housing Court” Q&A Session

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  Panel
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty