Porter v. Clerk of the Superior Court

This case is before us on a reservation and report by a single justice of this court. The sole issue is whether St. 1974, c. 224, § 1, amending G. L. c. 231, § 6B, is to be given retroactive effect, and thus whether the newly-established interest rate of eight per cent is to be applied to plaintiffs’ damages from the date of the writ. We hold that the amendment was not meant to have fully retroactive effect, and that the eight per cent rate is to be applied only after August 14, 1974, the effective date thereof.

The facts which give rise to this case are not in dispute. Briefly stated, the…