for Suffolk County - Mass Cases
for Suffolk County - Mass Cases
for Suffolk County - Mass Cases
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Specialists, Inc., 437 <strong>Mass</strong>. 536, 540, 542 (2002)<br />
(contrj.bution statute does not apply to c. 151B claims, as<br />
it would interfere with the MCAD's administrative process).<br />
The underlyiny statute safeguards the MCAD's<br />
en<strong>for</strong>cement role, with the mandate that, "the<br />
administrative procedure provided in this chapter under<br />
section 5 shall, while pending, be exclusive." G.L. c.<br />
151B, 5 9, 1;' see also -. East Chop Tennis Club v. MCAD,<br />
- -<br />
364 <strong>Mass</strong>. 144, 448 (1973) (prohibiting a respondent from<br />
pursuing a declaratory judgment action whi1.e Section 5<br />
procedures are pending, as it would interfere with the<br />
MCAD's powers to investigate and act on complaints of<br />
discrimination).<br />
The MCAD even reserves <strong>for</strong> itself the authority to<br />
dismiss meritorious complaints based on a complainant's<br />
refusal to accept a settlement that is acceptable to the<br />
Commission, and where termination of: the proceeding is in<br />
the public interest. 804 (3MR 1.1814). At the <strong>for</strong>mal<br />
hearing on the claim, the Commission has the right to<br />
designate one of its attorneys or agents to present the<br />
~~~ ~~<br />
' The first paragraph of Section 9 states: "This chapter<br />
shall be construed liberally <strong>for</strong> the accomplishment of its<br />
purposes, and any law inconsistent with any provision of<br />
this chapter shall not apply, but nothing contained in this<br />
chapter shall be deemed to repeal any provision of any<br />
other law of this comonweal~th relating to discrimination;<br />
but, as to acts declared unlawful by section 4, the<br />
administrative procedure provided in this chapter under<br />
section 5 shall, while pending, be exclusive; and the final<br />
determination on the merits shall exclude any other civil<br />
action, based on the same grievance of the individual<br />
concerned." G-L+ c. 151B, 5 9, 1.