Waiver of Jury Trial – Massachusetts Courts

The Waiver of Jury Trial is used by both the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) in a housing court case to waive their right to a jury trial and agree to have the matter decided by a judge in a bench trial. This form must be completed and signed by both parties in a housing court case when they agree to waive the jury trial. Once filled out and signed, it should be submitted to the court for the case to proceed as a bench trial.

This guide will help you fill out this form for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Housing Court Department. Follow these steps carefully to ensure the form is completed correctly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Header Information
   • Commonwealth of Massachusetts: This section is pre-filled.
   • Housing Court Department: This section is pre-filled.
   • Division: Write the specific division of the Housing Court where your case is being heard. This can be found on your court documents.
   • Case Number: Enter the unique case number assigned to your case. This can be found on your court documents.

2. Parties Involved
   • Plaintiff(s): Enter the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s) involved in the case.
   • Defendant(s): Enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s) involved in the case.

3. Waiver Statement
   • This section contains the waiver statement indicating that both parties agree to waive their right to a jury trial and consent to a bench trial. No action is needed here other than reading and understanding the statement.

4. Signatures
   • Signature of Plaintiff: The plaintiff must sign their name in the space provided.
   • Dated: The plaintiff must enter the date they signed the form.
   • Signature of Defendant: The defendant must sign their name in the space provided.
   • Dated: The defendant must enter the date they signed the form.
5. Additional Information
   • County: Select the appropriate county where the Housing Court is located. This can be found on your court documents.
   • Housing Court Division: Select the specific court division where your case is being heard.
   • Print: After completing the form, print it out for submission.

Final Steps

1. Review the form to ensure all information is correct and complete.
2. Both parties must sign and date the form.
3. Submit the completed form to the Housing Court where your case is being heard.

By following these steps, you will ensure that the Waiver of Jury Trial form is correctly filled out and ready for submission. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Housing Court clerk’s office.