Massachusetts
For Massachusetts, deadline to file the motion is Said special motion to dismiss may be filed within sixty days of the service of the complaint or, in the court's discretion, at any later time upon terms it deems proper; attorney's fees for the prevailing party is If the court grants such special motion to dismiss, the court shall award the moving party costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including those incurred for the special motion and any related discovery matters; statute is Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, § 59H, recorded from its source on 2026-09-02.
- State
- Massachusetts our reading
- Deadline to file the motion
- Said special motion to dismiss may be filed within sixty days of the service of the complaint or, in the court's discretion, at any later time upon terms it deems proper. verified
- Attorney's fees for the prevailing party
- If the court grants such special motion to dismiss, the court shall award the moving party costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including those incurred for the special motion and any related discovery matters. verified
- Effect on discovery
- All discovery proceedings shall be stayed upon the filing of the special motion under this section; provided, however, that the court, on motion and after a hearing and for good cause shown, may order that specified discovery be conducted. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the special motion. verified
- Statute
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, § 59H our reading
Values marked our reading are our classification of what the source says — the source does not print them in those words. The quote below is the evidence for each one; judge it yourself.
What the source says
Said special motion to dismiss may be filed within sixty days of the service of the complaint or, in the court's discretion, at any later time upon terms it deems proper.
— malegislature.gov, retrieved 2026-09-02
Where each value comes from
This source states these in separate places, so each value is shown with the passage that states it.
Deadline to file the motion
Said special motion to dismiss may be filed within sixty days of the service of the complaint or, in the court's discretion, at any later time upon terms it deems proper.
Attorney's fees for the prevailing party
If the court grants such special motion to dismiss, the court shall award the moving party costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including those incurred for the special motion and any related discovery matters.
Effect on discovery
All discovery proceedings shall be stayed upon the filing of the special motion under this section; provided, however, that the court, on motion and after a hearing and for good cause shown, may order that specified discovery be conducted. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the special motion.
— all from malegislature.gov, retrieved 2026-09-02
Source
- malegislature.govhttps://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleII/Chapter231/Section59H