Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Supreme Judicial Court Order regarding amount-in-controversy requirement under G.L. c. 218, § 19 and G.L. c. 212, § 3

Under G.L. c. 218, § 19, civil actions for money damages may proceed in the District and Boston Municipal Court departments "only if there is no reasonable likelihood that recovery by the plaintiff will exceed $25,000, or an amount ordered from time to time by the supreme judicial court." The Court hereby exercises its authority to order that the amount be increased from $25,000 to $50,000.

Under G.L. c. 212, § 3, a reciprocal $25,000 amount requirement applies to civil actions for money damages commenced in the Superior Court. Under this statute, such actions may proceed in the Superior Court "only if there is no reasonable likelihood that recovery by the plaintiff will be less than or equal to $25,000 or an amount ordered from time to time by the supreme judicial court." The Court hereby exercises its authority to order that this amount also be increased from $25,000 to $50,000.

This Order shall be effective on January 1, 2020, and applicable to civil actions for money damages commenced on or after that date.