Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 56 rules apply across Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

E-Filing

All 11
  • MiFILE permits electronic filing for all Circuit Court case types except NC and EM, and strongly encourages e-filing.

  • An FY or FX case must be changed by court order to a valid FC, FH, or FJ case code before using the stated e-filing process.

  • Electronic filing is mandatory for civil cases, both for initiating a new case and filing in an existing case.

Filing Requirements

All 10
  • Applies to
    Document
    Must include
    caption, case number

    The first page must identify the case number, parties, and document title, and any instructions appearing on that page must be removed before MiFILE submission.

  • Applies to
    Judgment of divorce

    The Record of Divorce or Annulment form must be filed before or together with the Judgment of Divorce.

  • Applies to
    Pleading document

    Every pleading or document must bear a wet or scanned ink signature or an electronic signature formatted as “/s/” followed by the filer’s name.

Bundling

All 9
  • Each distinct pleading or document must be saved and uploaded separately rather than combined into one PDF.

  • Distinct documents cannot be combined and filed in a single electronic file.

  • Pages belonging to one document and any attachments to that document must be combined before MiFILE submission rather than uploaded separately.

Formatting

All 7
  • Format
    PDF

    Documents and images should be converted to PDF, scanned at 8.5 by 11 inches, and scanned at about 200 dpi whenever possible.

  • Format
    PDF

    Do not upload smartphone images directly to MiFILE; convert or scan them into a properly sized PDF first.

  • To merge documents, upload all pages, then drag the document to be merged onto the lead document; the combined document will be submitted to the court as one document.

About Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

Elected to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court on November 4th, 2008 Former Presiding Judge, Family Court Division Former Presiding Judge, Family-Focused Juvenile Drug Court Graduate - James Madison College of Michigan State University Graduate - Wayne State University Law School Judicial Staff Attorney, 44th District Court 2002-2008 Assistant City Attorney, City of Royal Oak 1998-2002 Assistant General Counsel, Meadowbrook Insurance Group 1996-1998 Assistant Prosecutor, Oakland County 1990-1996

Circuit Court Judge, Civil Criminal Div In person courtroom: 2G Chambers: 248-858-0355 Clerk: 248-701-3183 Clerk: 248-807-9971

Common questions about Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions. Details: delivery by thursday noon. One judge’s copy of every motion must be delivered to chambers by noon on Thursday.

View ruleSource: page 2, section MOTION CALL

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's formatting rule includes binding three ring binder. Jury instructions must be filed and delivered to chambers at least seven days before trial in a three-ring binder.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL TRIALS

What must be included with proposed jury instructions and verdict forms filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each party must submit proposed jury instructions and verdict forms at least seven days before trial in both paper and electronic Word form.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL TRIALS

What must be included with bench trial brief filings before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

The rule requires legal argument and statement of facts. Bench-trial briefs must be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial and should address the pertinent facts, issues, controlling law, evidentiary issues, and legal issues.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL TRIALS

How may parties contact Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Mary Ellen Brennan's chambers. All chambers staff members must be included by email when contacting Judge Brennan’s chambers.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CHAMBERS CONTACT INFORMATION

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Scheduled trial dates are firm, and any request to adjourn a trial must be made by filing a motion.

View ruleSource: page 3, section CIVIL

Is electronic filing required before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. When oral argument is ordered, the notice of hearing or order will be electronically filed on the preceding Tuesday.

View ruleSource: page 2, section MOTION CALL

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Mary Ellen Brennan?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. MCR 2.119 and MCR 2.116(C) govern motion filing deadlines and notice requirements unless the court orders otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 2, section MOTION CALL
Complete rules summary for Judge Mary Ellen Brennan

Exhibits should be marked before trial using numbers for plaintiffs and letters for defendants, counsel should attempt to stipulate them, and a binder of exhibits must be delivered to chambers at least seven days before trial.

MCR 2.119 and MCR 2.116(C) govern motion filing deadlines and notice requirements unless the court orders otherwise.

When oral argument is ordered, the notice of hearing or order will be electronically filed on the preceding Tuesday.

A notice of hearing or order required for oral argument must be electronically filed on the preceding Tuesday.

One judge’s copy of every motion must be delivered to chambers by noon on Thursday.

A motion response is due by noon on Monday.

Each party must submit proposed jury instructions and verdict forms at least seven days before trial in both paper and electronic Word form.

Jury instructions must be filed and delivered to chambers at least seven days before trial in a three-ring binder.

The court encourages parties to agree on jury instructions and submit them jointly.

Bench-trial briefs must be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial and should address the pertinent facts, issues, controlling law, evidentiary issues, and legal issues.

All chambers staff members must be included by email when contacting Judge Brennan’s chambers.

Chambers will electronically file the completed plea forms after the plea is taken.

Criminal attorneys must electronically file their own documents and should use e-file to receive filings.

Sentencing memoranda and consideration letters should be emailed or delivered to chambers by noon on Tuesday.

Jury instructions must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder one week before trial.

Jury instructions delivered to chambers must be bound in a three-ring binder.

Anyone who re-praecipes a motion must notify chambers by phone or email and receive instructions to remove it from the Court’s motion call.

The parties may stipulate to the first adjournment of due dates when the trial date will not be affected.

Scheduled trial dates are firm, and any request to adjourn a trial must be made by filing a motion.

After a summary disposition motion is filed, the court will issue a scheduling order, hearing date, and briefing schedule within 21 days.

The moving party must file a praecipe for the hearing date, and the motion will not be heard on the scheduled date without it.

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