Massachusetts Appeals Court, 1996

Knott v. Laythe

Knott v. Laythe
Massachusetts Appeals Court · Decided March 8, 1996
40 Mass. App. Ct. 911; 661 N.E.2d 1343; 1996 Mass. App. LEXIS 110

Knott v. Laythe

Opinion of the Court

We are troubled by the filing and prosecution of an appeal in a case such as this where the matter can easily be remedied by a new notice at far less expense to the landlord and far less burden to the court system. We are also troubled by the failure of the landlord’s counsel to inform the court prior to oral argument and our questioning that the matter is moot. Because of these concerns1 we order counsel not to charge the client for any services or costs in connection with this appeal and to give his client a copy of this order. See Estate of Solis-Rivera v. United States, 993 F.2d 1, 3 (1st Cir. 1993); Howard v. Baumer, 519 So. 2d 679, 681 (Fla. App. 1988).

Although, when questioned at oral argument, counsel gave no satisfactory explanation for the prosecution of this appeal, counsel may, if he wishes, file an affidavit within thirty days of the date of release of this opinion setting forth facts showing why he should not be required to forego his fee.

Appeal dismissed.

The legal issue as to notice is, in our view, also frivolous.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.