Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Massachusetts

Who can represent you in a small claims action...

Unless you are a large company, many times small claims actions don't call for hiring an attorney. Can a paralegal or anyone for that matter represent me in small claims court as my agent and to further that could anyone do that for a large corporation as well? I know in a civil and criminal actions one would either represent themselves or hire an attorney but small claims is different. I know some companies that send there credit managers to court. What does the law say about this?


Asked on 8/02/03, 2:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Baker Law Office of David Baker

Re: Who can represent you in a small claims action...

There is a decision from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court which says that other than small claims actions, corporations MUST be represented by an attorney. The decision is Varney Enterprises, Inc. v. WMF, Inc., 520 N.E.2d 1312 (1988). You can read a copy at http://members.tripod.com/~ChurchillLaw/papers.html. I suggest you read the decision. It is not complicated. Best wishes, David Baker

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Answered on 8/02/03, 3:10 pm


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