[On screen text that says, "Welcome to the Metro South Division of the Massachusetts Housing Court" with photos of the court behind it.]
[On screen text that says,
"215 Main St., Suite 160, Brockton MA 02301
35 Shawmut Rd., 3rd Floor, Canton, MA 02021"]
[Housing Court First Justice Neil Sherring seated in a courtroom]
First Justice Neil Sherring: Welcome to the Metro South Division of the Massachusetts Housing Court. My name is Judge Neil Sherring and I have the privilege of serving as the first justice of the Metro South Division. This video is intended to provide you with an overview of our court and the services that we provide. Please keep in mind that what is said to you today is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
[Head shot of Judge Maria Theopolis]
First Justice Neil Sherring (Voice Over): Judge Maria Theopolis is the Associate Justice of the Metro South Division. She hears cases in both our Brockton and Canton courthouses. Please note that periodically other judges may preside over cases.
[Head shots of Assistant Clerk Magistrate Patrick Maguire, Clerk Magistrate Nella Lussier, and First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Delia Mathes.]
Nella Lussier is the Clerk Magistrate of the Metro South Division, Delia Mathes is the First Assistant Clerk Magistrate, and Patrick Maguire is the Assistant Clerk Magistrate.
[Head shots of Chief Housing Specialist Catarina Andrade and Assistant Chief Housing Specialist Matthew Bourdeau]
Catarina Andrade is the Chief Housing Specialist of the Metro South Division, and Matthew Bourdeau is the Assistant Chief Housing Specialist.
[Image of the Brockton and Canton courthouses with text that says, "Brockton Session, 215 Main St., Suite 160, Brockton, MA 02301, Canton Session, 35 Shawmut Rd., 3rd floor, Canton, MA 0202, https://www.mass.gov/orgs/housing-court/locations"]
The Metro South Division has two courthouse locations; Brockton session and the Canton Session. For a listing of communities that our division serves, please refer to our website or contact our Clerk's office at either Canton or Brockton.
The Metro South Housing Court Brockton session serves the following communities.
[Image of Brockton courthouse with text that says, "The Metro South Brockton Session serves the following communities: Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman. This location is open Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."]
The telephone number for the Brockton session is 508-894-4170.
The Metro South Housing Court Canton Session serves the following communities.
[Image of Canton courthouse with text that says, "The Metro South Canton Session serves the following communities: Avon, Bellingham, Braintree, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Holbrook, Sharon, Stoughton, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood, Weymouth, Wrentham. The location is open Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."]
The telephone number for the Canton session is (781) 830-0025.
[Interior footage of clerk's office]
Female Narrator: The clerk's office is in charge of the day-to-day administration of court matters that involve residential housing. The housing court hears Summary Process cases, also known as eviction cases, Small Claims cases, Civil cases, code enforcement actions, and appeals of local residential zoning board decisions.
[Man filing paperwork with an employee at the front desk.]
The clerk's office assists people both in person and online through Zoom each weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The clerk's office is available to answer procedural questions, general questions, accept documents for filing, provide forms, provide information about e-filing, as well as provide a list of resources to litigants seeking assistance. For more information about how to connect with our office via Zoom, available resources, or to learn more about how you can receive text reminders of court events, please contact the Clerk's office.
[Parties meet for mediation in a conference room. On screen text that says, "Housing Specialist Department"]
Male Narrator: The Housing Specialist Department facilitates mediation, which is a voluntary and confidential process by which the parties in a dispute negotiate the terms of a resolution with the help of a housing specialist. When a resolution is reached, the housing specialist prepares the agreement and reviews the terms with all parties to ensure understanding. Mediations can be requested for all matters, including but not limited to Summary Process cases, Small Claims cases, Civil cases, and code enforcement actions.
[Parties meet via Zoom for a mediation.]
Mediations can be conducted virtually or in person. Each member of the Housing Specialist Department is certified or has working knowledge of state and local sanitary codes and can perform views of the property and monitor receivership matters upon request or order from the court.
[Housing Specialist assisting someone in the courthouse.]
Finally, the Housing Specialist Department is available to answer both general and procedural questions or provide a list of resources to people seeking assistance, either in person or through Zoom.
[Images of the Brockton and Canton courthouses with on screen text that says, "Brockton Session 508-894-4170, Canton Session 781-830-0025"]
For more information about how to connect with the Housing Specialist Department, please contact the Clerk's office.
[A judge and parties attend a virtual event.]
Certain types of hearings, conferences, and other court matters may be scheduled on our virtual docket. The court will send you a notice of virtual hearing that notifies the parties of the procedures of housing court virtual hearings, including the date and time of the hearing, the relevant Zoom link, and the submission of documents. Although these proceedings are being conducted virtually, the rules, protocols, and procedures of a courtroom still apply. It is important to be courteous and patient during virtual hearings.
[Parties in a courtroom for a hearing or trial.]
You may be in a courthouse for an evidentiary motion hearing or a trial. If you're in the courthouse, the court officers will inform you of the safety protocols and procedures. A motion is a request that the court take particular action by the party that files the motion, often referred to as the moving party. A trial is a proceeding where the judge hears evidence from both sides and then renders a decision in writing. If you're not represented by a lawyer, that is okay. Just tell the judge what you would like the judge to know in the best way that you can.
[Meeting between two parties.]
Prior to trial or motion hearing, it is encouraged that you meet with the other side to talk about whether you can agree to certain facts or the submission of certain documents or photographs. During a courtroom proceeding, please be courteous and refrain from interrupting or talking over anyone.
[Attorney consults with litigant during a Lawyer for the Day session.]
The court has other resources available, including representatives from the Tenancy Preservation Program and the Lawyer for the Day program. The court also provides interpreter services. More information about court services and resources can be found at our website and are also included with our court notices.
[Housing Court First Justice Neil Sherring seated in a courtroom]
First Justice Neil Sherring: We hope this video makes your experience at the Metro South Division more productive. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Clerk's office or our Housing Specialist Department. Thank you.
[Photos of the Brockton and Canton courthouses with a Trial Court seal and on screen text that says, "Metro South Housing Court."