Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Jury Instructions
A toolbox of trial techniques

- Product Number: 2192904WFM
- Publication Date: 12/31/2018
- Edition: 3rd Edition 2014, with 2016 & 2018 Supplements
- Copyright: © 2018 MCLE, Inc.
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Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Jury Instructions
A toolbox of trial techniques
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- Product Description
- Table of Contents
- Editors & Authors
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Product Description
Product Description
The Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Manual is a cornerstone of MCLE's civil litigation collection. It has been cited by judges, referenced by hundreds of lawyers, and relied upon for solid and practical guidance through the stages of a case, from pre-trial to post-trial procedures. It offers a broad-based, intensive and practical grounding in the topics vital to trial practice in the Superior Court. You will benefit from the expertise of dozens of lawyers and judges, on topics such as developing top-notch trial advocacy techniques, navigating Rule 9 and its many details, perfecting discovery through your motions practice, presenting and excluding evidence at trial, and understanding the many requirements of dispositive motions. Ethics commentary, judicial insight, ADR perspectives are featured. Let the experts who authored and edited this manual help you to increase your effectiveness in Superior Court practice.
Recent updates:
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Update: October 2023
Dear Subscriber:
Thank you for choosing to stay current with Massachusetts Superior Court practice with this 2023 revised edition of the Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Manual . Inside, you will find new material on topics including the following:
- Attachment. See chapter 4 for a note concerning a 2021 case in which a plaintiff successfully employed the doctrine of piercing the corporate veil to attach real estate owned by the defendant corporation's officer and director.
- Homestead exemption. Also in chapter 4 is a new discussion of a change in the homestead exemption requiring, among other things, that the owner of the subject real estate, including all remainder persons, have a present, vested, and noncontingent interest.
- Defenses asserted by motion. See chapter 6 for a 2023 case where the defendant moved for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, and the court ruled regarding submission of extra-complaint materials as attachments to the affidavit.
- Anti-SLAPP suits; admissibility of statements made to parties. Chapter 6 addresses a 2023 case where the court ruled on the admissibility of statements made to private individuals prior to the filing of complaints with government entities. Also in chapter 6 is a 2023 case addressing G.L. c. 231, § 59H and whether the awarding of costs and reasonable attorney fees is mandatory.
- Deposition procedure. Chapter 8 includes an important reminder with regard to the timeliness of signing depositions, and an amended rule on this subject that counsel must heed in order to avoid a misstep with regard to multiday depositions.
- Video depositions. Also in chapter 8 is a new exhibit that provides a model for notice of the taking of an audiovisual deposition.
- Demonstrative evidence. In chapter 12, find a discussion of alternative ways of authenticating evidence that can expedite the trial and obviate the need to call a witness at trial solely to provide authentication.
- Enhancement of photographic evidence. Chapter 12 cites a 2022 case where authentication and relevance were issues with regard to photographs taken digitally and computer-enhanced.
- Computer-generated simulation. Chapter 12 addresses instances where the court, in deciding whether to permit a party to use a computer-generated simulation, considered the underlying evidentiary foundation, and provides a tip for counsel attempting to offer such models.
- Duty to preserve ESI discovery. Chapter 19 cites a key 2023 case about when the duty to preserve attaches in a civil matter.
These are just a few of the topics covered and updated in this revised edition. We trust that you will find it useful in your civil litigation practice, and valuable in keeping your law library current.
Cordially,
MCLE Press
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Update: October 2023
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
expand allChapter 1 expandChapter 2 expandPersonal Injury
Buy ChapterPaul R. Sugarman, Esq., Sugarman and Sugarman, PC
Hon. Valerie A. Yarashus, Superior Court, Commonwealth of MassachusettsChapter 3 expandWrongful Death
Buy ChapterPaul R. Sugarman, Esq., Sugarman and Sugarman, PC
Hon. Valerie A. Yarashus, Superior Court, Commonwealth of MassachusettsExhibit 3A
- Sample Special Verdict Form—Wrongful Death Buy FormInstruction 3.1
- Preliminary Instruction—Wrongful Death Statute Buy FormInstruction 3.10
- Medical Expenses Buy FormInstruction 3.11
- Lost Earning Capacity Prior to Death Buy FormInstruction 3.12
- Conscious Pain and Suffering Buy FormInstruction 3.13
- Allocation of Damages Buy FormInstruction 3.14
- Comparative Negligence Buy FormInstruction 3.15
- Malicious, Willful, Wanton, and Reckless Conduct—Punitive Damages Buy FormInstruction 3.16
- Gross Negligence—Punitive Damages Buy FormInstruction 3.2
- Standard of Proof Buy FormInstruction 3.3
- Negligence Buy FormInstruction 3.4
- Causation Buy FormInstruction 3.5
- Compensatory Damages—Death Buy FormInstruction 3.6
- Fair Monetary Value of the Decedent to the Beneficiaries Buy FormInstruction 3.7
- Net Income Buy FormInstruction 3.8
- Loss of Services Buy FormInstruction 3.9
- Burial and Funeral Expenses Buy FormChapter 4 expandMedical Malpractice
Buy ChapterExhibit 4A
- Special Jury Verdict Form Buy FormInstruction 4.1
- Definition of Medical Malpractice Buy FormInstruction 4.10
- Expert Testimony Buy FormInstruction 4.11
- Res Ipsa Loquitur Buy FormInstruction 4.12
- Medical Publications Buy FormInstruction 4.13
- Informed Consent Buy FormInstruction 4.14
- Public Employee Immunity Pursuant to the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act, G.L. c. 258 Buy FormInstruction 4.15
- Vicarious Liability Buy FormInstruction 4.16
- Statutory Liability Exemptions Buy FormInstruction 4.2
- Doctor-Patient Relationship Buy FormInstruction 4.3
- Elements of Malpractice Buy FormInstruction 4.4
- Mitigation of Damages Buy FormInstruction 4.5
- How to Itemize an Award of Damages Buy FormInstruction 4.6
- Special Jury Verdict Instruction (Alternate Instruction) Buy FormInstruction 4.7
- Specific Elements of Damages Buy FormInstruction 4.8
- Wrongful Birth—Damages Buy FormInstruction 4.9
- Wrongful Conception or Wrongful Pregnancy—Damages Buy FormChapter 5 expandEmployment Discrimination
Buy ChapterChapter 6 expandChapter 7 expandInstruction 7.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 7.2
- Elements—Notion of Privacy in General Buy FormInstruction 7.3
- Right to Privacy Not Absolute Buy FormInstruction 7.4
- Balancing Competing Interests Buy FormInstruction 7.5
- Elements for Publication of Private Facts Buy FormInstruction 7.6
- Elements for Misappropriation of One’s Name or Likeness Buy FormInstruction 7.7
- Damages Buy FormChapter 8 expandEmotional Distress
Buy ChapterJoseph D. Lipchitz, Esq., Saul Ewing LLP
Paul R. Sugarman, Esq., Sugarman and Sugarman, PC
Hon. Valerie A. Yarashus, Superior Court, Commonwealth of MassachusettsInstruction 8.1
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Buy FormInstruction 8.2
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress—Conduct Directed at Third Parties Buy FormInstruction 8.3
- Damages Buy FormInstruction 8.4
- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress: First Party Claims Buy FormInstruction 8.5
- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress: Witnessing Injury to or Death of a Family Member Buy FormChapter 9 expandG.L. c. 21E Claims
Buy ChapterExhibit 9A
- Special Verdict Questions, G.L. c. 21E, § 4 Buy FormExhibit 9B
- Special Verdict Questions, G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a) Buy FormInstruction 9.1
- Introductory Note Buy FormInstruction 9.10
- Response Costs in Two-Site Cases Buy FormInstruction 9.11
- Equitable Share Among Liable Parties Buy FormInstruction 9.12
- Consistency with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Buy FormInstruction 9.13
- Damages—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a)(5)(iii) Buy FormInstruction 9.14
- Section 5(b) Defense to Property Damage Claim—Divisibility of Harm Buy FormInstruction 9.15
- Third-Party Defense Buy FormInstruction 9.16
- Third-Party Defense—Current Owner Buy FormInstruction 9.17
- Key Definitions Buy FormInstruction 9.18
- Special Defenses Buy FormInstruction 9.19
- Statute of Limitations Accrual—Individual Recovery Buy FormInstruction 9.2
- Persons Liable—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a) Buy FormInstruction 9.3
- Present Owners or Operators—Oil or Hazardous Material—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a)(1) Buy FormInstruction 9.4
- Past Owners or Operators Buy FormInstruction 9.5
- Actual Control Buy FormInstruction 9.6
- Arrangers for Transport—Hazardous Material—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a)(3) Buy FormInstruction 9.7
- Transporters—Hazardous Material—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a)(4) Buy FormInstruction 9.8
- Persons Who Caused or Are Legally Responsible for Release or Threat of Release—Oil or Hazardous Material—G.L. c. 21E, § 5(a)(5) Buy FormInstruction 9.9
- Damages and Response Costs—G.L. c. 21E, § 4 Buy FormChapter 10 expandEminent Domain Cases
Buy ChapterChapter 11 expandProduct Liability
Buy ChapterExhibit 11A
- Special Jury Verdict—Design Cases Buy FormInstruction 11.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 11.2
- Negligence Buy FormInstruction 11.3
- Breach of Warranty Buy FormInstruction 11.4
- Crashworthiness/Enhanced Injuries Buy FormInstruction 11.5
- Innovator Liability Buy FormInstruction 11.6
- Food Product Liability Buy FormInstruction 11.7
- Special Evidentiary Issues Buy FormChapter 12 expandInstruction 12.1
- Breach of Postemployment Noncompetition Agreement Buy FormInstruction 12.10
- Adverse Inference Regarding Attorney-Client Privilege Buy FormInstruction 12.2
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty by Majority Shareholder in Close Corporation Buy FormInstruction 12.3
- Alternate Sources of Fiduciary Duty Buy FormInstruction 12.4
- Tortious Interference With Contractual Relationship Buy FormInstruction 12.5
- Tortious Interference With Prospective Business Relationship Buy FormInstruction 12.6
- Common Law Unfair Competition Buy FormInstruction 12.7
- Trade Disparagement and Defamation Buy FormInstruction 12.8
- Vicarious Liability Buy FormInstruction 12.9
- Successor Liability Buy FormChapter 13 expandInstruction 13.1
- Absent Witnesses Buy FormInstruction 13.10
- Facts Established in Prior Proceedings Buy FormInstruction 13.11
- Pro Se Party Buy FormInstruction 13.12
- Seating of Alternate Juror Buy FormInstruction 13.13
- Statute of Limitations Accrual—Tort Case Buy FormInstruction 13.14
- Standard of Proof—Clear and Convincing Buy FormInstruction 13.15
- Spoliation Buy FormInstruction 13.16
- Taking a View Buy FormInstruction 13.17
- Violation of a Statute or Regulation Buy FormInstruction 13.18
- When Jurors Cannot Agree Buy FormInstruction 13.2
- Chalks Buy FormInstruction 13.3
- Charts and Summaries Buy FormInstruction 13.4
- Child Witness Buy FormInstruction 13.5
- Computer Animations Buy FormInstruction 13.6
- Diversity Buy FormInstruction 13.7
- Expert Witness Buy FormInstruction 13.8
- Extraneous Publicity Buy FormInstruction 13.9
- Imaging Systems Buy FormChapter 14 expandInstruction 14.1
- Overview of Elements—Breach of Contract Buy FormInstruction 14.2
- Contract Formation Buy FormInstruction 14.3
- Terms of Contract Buy FormInstruction 14.4
- Contractual Performance Buy FormInstruction 14.5
- Contract Substitute: Quantum Meruit Buy FormInstruction 14.6
- Third-Party Beneficiaries Buy FormInstruction 14.7
- Defenses Buy FormInstruction 14.8
- Remedies Buy FormInstruction 14.9
- Damages Buy FormChapter 15 expandIntellectual Property
Buy ChapterChapter 16 expandConsumer Protection Act—Chapter 93A
Buy ChapterExhibit 16A
- Special Jury Verdict Buy FormInstruction 16.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 16.2
- Demand Letters—Section 9 Plaintiff Buy FormInstruction 16.3
- Conduct in Trade or Commerce Buy FormInstruction 16.4
- Unfair or Deceptive Acts Buy FormInstruction 16.5
- Causation—General Charge Buy FormInstruction 16.6
- Damages Buy FormInstruction 16.7
- Supplemental Instructions Buy FormChapter 17 expandInstruction 17.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 17.2
- Disputes Involving Real Estate Brokers Buy FormInstruction 17.3
- Enforceability of Preliminary Agreements Regarding the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate Buy FormInstruction 17.4
- Title Insurance Buy FormInstruction 17.5
- Adverse Possession Buy FormInstruction 17.6
- Prescriptive Easements Buy FormInstruction 17.7
- Survey and Boundary Disputes Buy FormInstruction 17.8
- Condominium Disputes—Introduction Buy FormChapter 18 expandProfessional Malpractice
Buy ChapterInstruction 18.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 18.10
- Statute of Limitations Buy FormInstruction 18.11
- Ethics Violations Buy FormInstruction 18.12
- Accounting Malpractice Buy FormInstruction 18.13
- Architects and Engineers Buy FormInstruction 18.14
- Statute of Limitations and Statute of Repose Buy FormInstruction 18.2
- Elements of Claim—Overview Buy FormInstruction 18.3
- Attorney-Client Relationship Buy FormInstruction 18.4
- Vicarious Liability Buy FormInstruction 18.5
- Burden of Proof Buy FormInstruction 18.6
- Negligence Buy FormInstruction 18.7
- Causation Buy FormInstruction 18.8
- Damages Buy FormInstruction 18.9
- Requirement of Expert Testimony Buy FormChapter 19 expandInstruction 19.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 19.2
- Federal Civil Rights Actions—42 U.S.C. § 1983 Buy FormInstruction 19.3
- Massachusetts Civil Rights Actions—Introduction Buy FormInstruction 19.4
- Statement of the Claim Buy FormInstruction 19.5
- Protected Rights Buy FormInstruction 19.6
- Damages Buy FormChapter 20 expandInstruction 20.1
- Intentional Misrepresentation (Fraud/Deceit)—Elements Buy FormInstruction 20.2
- Negligent Misrepresentation—Elements Buy FormInstruction 20.3
- Negligent Misrepresentation Committed in the Process of Supplying Information for the Guidance of Others [Plaintiff Not in Privity with Defendant] Buy FormChapter 21 expandChapter 22 expandChapter 23 expandChapter 24 expandChapter 25 expandSubmitting the Case to the Jury
Buy ChapterHon. Paul D. Wilson, Superior Court, Commonwealth of MassachusettsInstruction 25.1
- Introduction Buy FormInstruction 25.2
- When the Judge Will Instruct the Jury About the Law Buy FormInstruction 25.3
- Proposed Instructions Buy FormInstruction 25.4
- Special Verdict Forms Buy FormInstruction 25.5
- Charge Conference Buy FormInstruction 25.6
- Charging the Jury Buy FormInstruction 25.7
- Deliberations and Verdict Buy Form -
Editors & Authors
Editor(s)
Hon. Paul D. Wilson, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, WoburnAuthor(s)
Jody L. Newman, Esq., Lovett O'Brien LLP, BostonMichael Packard, WinchesterHon. Paul D. Wilson, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, WoburnHarvey J. Wolkoff, Esq., Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, BostonHon. Valerie A. Yarashus, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Holliston