Massachusetts Superior Court

The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $50,000,[1] and in matters where equitable relief is sought.

It also has original jurisdiction in actions involving labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, and has exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals.

[4] The BLS was authorized and implemented by order of Superior Court Chief Justice Suzanne DelVecchio[5] in 1999, beginning operations in 2000, with the Honorable Allan van Gestel[6] as its first judge,[7] who was integral to the BLS's establishment and viability.

[8] Justice DelVecchio appointed a Business Litigation Resource Committee to provide input and feedback on the new program in its early years.

[9] The late Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants had been a BLS judge earlier in his career, as had retired Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Margot Botsford.