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The Lawrence District Court is one of the Massachusetts courts that handles landlord–tenant eviction (summary process) cases for Lawrence and the surrounding Essex County communities. Use this page for the address, phone, the steps in the process, and answers to common questions.
Massachusetts evictions are decided through summary process under Chapter 239 of the General Laws. The Lawrence District Court hears these landlord–tenant cases for Lawrence and nearby Essex County communities. Whether you're a tenant who's been served or a landlord preparing to file, the same rules — and the same short deadlines — apply.
Every case starts with a Notice to Quit (14 days for nonpayment of rent; generally 30 days or one rental period for a no-fault termination). After the notice expires, the landlord serves a Summary Process Summons and Complaint and enters the case on a Monday entry date. The tenant then has until the answer date to file defenses and counterclaims, and the first hearing — often beginning with mediation — follows shortly after. For the full sequence, read the landlord summary-process timeline and the tenant guide to answering a Notice to Quit.
Tenants in Lawrence frequently have more leverage than they expect — habitability, security-deposit (c. 186 §15B), and retaliation counterclaims can offset, or exceed, the rent at issue. Landlords win by filing clean: correct notice, correct entry date, and records that answer the predictable defenses.
Many Lawrence-area cases can be filed in the Northeast Housing Court instead of (or in addition to) the District Court. The Housing Court specializes in landlord–tenant matters and has Housing Specialists who mediate. See the Northeast Housing Court page for its sitting locations and the towns it covers, or browse the full Massachusetts court directory.
The Lawrence District Court is located at 2 Appleton St., Lawrence, MA 01840. The clerk's office can be reached at (978) 687-7184.
Yes. The Lawrence District Court hears Massachusetts summary-process (eviction) cases for the Lawrence area. Tenants and landlords in Essex County can often also file in the Northeast Housing Court, which specializes in housing cases.
Massachusetts summary process moves quickly — frequently only a few weeks from the entry (filing) date to the first hearing. The exact timeline in Lawrence depends on proper service, the tenant's answer date, whether discovery is requested (which adds about two weeks), and the court's calendar.
Related: Northeast Housing Court · All courts · Guides · Pricing
Court address and phone compiled from official Massachusetts Trial Court (mass.gov) listings; details can change, so verify with the court. This page is general information, not legal advice.