If, upon an appeal in a civil action authorized by law, the appellant fails to enter and prosecute his appeal, the court may, upon complaint of the appellee, affirm the former judgment or render such other judgment as law and justice require.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 212, § 12
Affirmation of judgment on non-entry of appeal
Official source: Massachusetts Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Massachusetts statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.