Land Court Jurisdiction, History, & Evolution of Title

The Land Court’s mission is to provide an accessible forum where specialized expertise is applied to resolve civil matters and disputes involving the ownership, development, and use of real property (i.e. Land). The seven justices of the Land Court primarily sit in Boston, where the court is based, but also travel to other court locations, and hear cases involving real property located in every part of Massachusetts. 

Typical Land Court cases concern: land title disputes--about ownership, easements, and property boundaries; mortgage title issues; zoning and subdivision appeals, challenges and enforcement proceedings; actions to enforce contracts to buy and sell real estate; partition proceedings; cases to interpret and reform conveyancing instruments, and generally cases seeking equitable and declaratory relief where real estate title interests are involved.

Additionally, the Land Court hears cases to determine the military status of mortgagors, and the foreclosure and redemption of real estate tax liens. The Land Court also has superintendence authority over the registered land offices in the county Registries of Deeds, and daily plays an important role in facilitating the transfer of registered land property ownership.