Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Response, Reply
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers, Clerk
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Phone
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Unless a different period is set by the court:The moving party may file a reply brief, limited to rebuttal and not exceeding five pages.
- Reply brief
- Up to 5 pages
- Summary disposition motions
Document Format Requirements8 rules
DO NOT SUBMIT ORDERS ON LETTERHEAD If you submit an order on letterhead, the court will reject it.
ALL COPIES MUST BE BOUND.
All hard copies must be securely bound (staple, metal fastener, or binder). Loose pages or copies with binder clips will be rejected and must be resubmitted.
- Binding
- Securely bound
ALL JUDGE'S COPIES MUST BE BOUND.
Original signatures must appear on at least one copy of orders presented for Judge’s signature – the Court does NOT accept orders with handwritten annotations or corrections.
The party must identify/highlight the specific, pertinent part of an exhibit it relies upon.
Formatting
- •Identify or highlight the specific, pertinent part of each exhibit relied upon
The parties shall highlight the pertinent part of the relevant exhibits for the Court.
Formatting
- •Highlight the pertinent part of each relevant exhibit for the Court
Please refrain from underlining portions of briefs.
- Brief
Formatting
- •Do not underline portions of briefs
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
A party must append, and highlight, the pertinent part of any unpublished case cited.
After you receive a date, file a Notice of Hearing and a Praecipe with the court.
Parties are not allowed to file a motion without first obtaining a date from the court.
Written responses are required for all motions filed.
A hard copy of the claim of appeal or leave for appeal must be sent to the Court.
Please provide the Court with a list of all requested standard and special jury instructions.
PARTIES MUST SUBMIT A SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE FORM TO CONTINUE WITH THE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.
No supplemental briefs may be filed without leave of court (MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(iv)).
YOU MUST FILE A PRACEIPE WITH THE COURT.
No responses are permitted unless the Court specifically allows them.
Parties must disclose the use of AI.
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Late motions will be rejected and a motion for leave must be filed.
PRAECIPES MUST LIST ALL PLAINTIFFS AND DEFENDANTS WHO ARE PARTIES TO THE LAWSUIT OR THE PRAECIPE WILL BE REJECTED BY THE COURT CLERK.
A hard copy of the motion must be sent to the Court before the motion is considered.
Please limit response to pleading being answered.
The parties shall use joint exhibits to the extent possible to eliminate duplicate exhibits.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The Court must receive a hard copy of a summary-disposition motion with exhibits at least three days before the hearing or it will dismiss the motion.
IF THE COURT DOES NOT RECIEVE A HARD COPY OF THE MOTION WITH EXHIBITS ATTACHED AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE HEARING, THE COURT WILL DISMISS THE MOTION. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
A summary-disposition motion must be filed within 60 days after the discovery cutoff.
Filing deadline is within 60 days after discovery cut off.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
A hard copy of the motion must be sent to the Court a week before the hearing date.
A hard copy of the motion must be sent to the Court a week before the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
A response to a summary-disposition motion is due at least seven days before the hearing.
Response is due at least 7 days before the hearing (MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(ii)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
The Court will not consider a late response to a summary-disposition motion.
If a response is late, the Court will not consider the response.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
Responses to dispositive motions are due seven days before the hearing.
Responses for dispositive motions are due 7 days before the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Summary-disposition motions must be heard 30 days before trial unless there is good cause.
Motions must be heard 30 days before trial unless there is good cause.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
Motions in limine must be filed within 60 days after discovery closes.
Motions in limine MUST be filed within 60 days after the close of discovery.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Trial
A summary-disposition reply must be filed at least four days before the hearing.
The reply must be filed and served at least 4 days before the hearing (MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(iii)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
A hearing on a motion by a party asserting a claim must occur no earlier than 28 days after the opposing party was served with the pleading stating that claim.
The hearing on a motion brought by a party asserting a claim must not take place until at least 28 days after the opposing party was served with the pleading stating the claim. (MCR 2.116(B)(2)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
Joint Final Pre-Trial Orders are due 32 days before trial.
Yes. Joint Final Pre-Trial Orders are due 32 days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Final Pre-Trial Conferences
Responses to all other motions are due three days before the hearing.
Responses for all other motions are due 3 days prior to the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
If the Appellate Scheduling Order is not received within ten business days after filing the appeal, contact the Court’s office.
If the order is not received within (10) business days from the date of filing the appeal, please contact the Court's office.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Appeals
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A summary-disposition reply must be served at least four days before the hearing.
The reply must be filed and served at least 4 days before the hearing (MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(iii)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
Plaintiff’s counsel is responsible for serving the Defendant.
Responsibility for serving Defendant: Plaintiff Counsel
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
Filing Fees and Waivers
The appropriate fee must be paid when filing subsequent motions.
Please file all subsequent motions separately and pay appropriate fee.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A judge’s copy of every motion, response, and reply must be submitted to the Court with accompanying exhibits clearly labeled.
A JUDGE’S COPY of ALL MOTIONS, RESPONSES and REPLIES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT with all accompanying exhibits clearly labeled.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Judge’s copies of motions, responses, and replies must be mailed or dropped off to the Court with accompanying exhibits clearly labeled.
A JUDGE’S COPY OF ALL: MOTIONS RESPONSES AND, REPLIES MUST BE MAILED IN OR DROPPED TO THE COURT WITH ALL ACCOMPANYING EXHIBITS CLEARLY LABELED.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Berry’s Courtroom Filings
Filing Bundling Requirements
A Track II-to-III adjournment motion cannot be combined with any other motion.
Adjournment of Track II to III: Stipulation X Motion *(cannot be combined with any other motion)*
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
Subsequent motions must be filed separately, and the appropriate fee must be paid.
Please file all subsequent motions separately and pay appropriate fee.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
A Track III adjournment motion cannot be combined with any other motion.
Adjournment of Track III: Stipulation X Motion *(cannot be combined with any other motion)*
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
An adjournment of case evaluation requires a motion.
Adjournment of Case Evaluation: __ Stipulation X_ Motion
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
Extending discovery to case evaluation requires a motion.
Extend Discovery to Case Evaluation: Stipulation X _ Motion
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
Oral-argument adjournments are decided case by case, and argument will not be heard later than six months after the filing date.
Adjournment of oral argument is determined on a case by case basis. Oral arguments will not be heard later than six months after the filing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Appeals
A summary-disposition motion hearing may be adjourned by stipulation and by contacting the Court Clerk by email.
Adjournment of Motion for Summary Disposition: By stipulation and contacting the Court Clerk via email (JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
A motion hearing may be adjourned by stipulation and by contacting the Court Clerk by email.
Adjournment of Motion: By stipulation and contacting the Court Clerk via email (JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
An adjournment of Track III requires a motion, which cannot be combined with another motion.
Adjournment of Track III: Stipulation X Motion *(cannot be combined with any other motion)*
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
An adjournment from Track II to Track III requires a motion, which cannot be combined with another motion.
Adjournment of Track II to III: Stipulation X Motion *(cannot be combined with any other motion)*
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
A Final Pre-Trial Conference may be adjourned by stipulation and by contacting the Court Clerk by email.
Adjournment of Final Pre-Trial Conference: By stipulation and contacting the Court Clerk via email (JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Final Pre-Trial Conferences
An adjournment from Track I to Track II requires a motion.
Adjournment of Track I to II: __ Stipulation X Motion
Civil cases
Page 1 | Status Conference Procedure
A settlement conference may be adjourned by stipulation and by contacting the Court Clerk by email.
Adjournment of settlement conference: By stipulation and contacting the Court Clerk via email (JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure
Adjournments will not be granted in the ten oldest cases on the Judge’s docket absent good cause.
Adjournments will not be granted for the ten oldest cases on the Judge’s docket (absent good cause).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Other
Requests to extend the appellate briefing schedule are decided case by case.
Requests for extension of the briefing schedule are determined on case by case basis.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Appeals
Chambers Communication Rules
When a Motion for Reconsideration is filed, April Sutton must be notified by email at JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org.
Motions for Reconsideration: Please email April Sutton (JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org) when a Motion for Reconsideration is filed.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Parties must contact the Courtroom Clerk by phone to obtain a hearing date.
Contact the Courtroom Clerk via phone for a hearing date (313) 224-4679.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Beginning January 2, 2026, attorneys and their staff must call the Court, rather than email, about adjournments or case status.
AS OF 01/02/2026, THE COURT WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT EMAIL REGARDING ADJOURNMENTS OR CASE STATUS FROM ATTORNEYS OR THIER STAFF. PARTIES MUST CALL THE COURT.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Berry’s Courtroom Filings
To schedule a summary-disposition hearing, the moving party must call the Court Clerk to request an available date.
To schedule a hearing on a Motion for Summary Disposition, you must call the court clerk to request an available hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
The completed Settlement Conference Form must be emailed to JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org.
Email completed form to JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org
Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure
The moving party must immediately inform the Court if the case settles or the motion’s issues are resolved.
If the case settles or the issues in the motion are resolved, the moving party must inform the court immediately.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure
Parties must contact the Court to schedule a hearing date for a motion in limine.
Please contact the Court to schedule a hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Trial
Parties must merge their calls before calling the Court for a settlement conference.
The parties shall merge calls before calling the court at (313) 224-4679.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure
Questions about Court matters must be directed to the Court Clerk; parties must not seek information from other Court staff.
For questions regarding Court matters, please contact the Court Clerk directly. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SEEK INFORMATION FROM COURT STAFF.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Other
All communications with the Court must include both the Courtroom Clerk and Judicial Attorney.
Please include both the Courtroom Clerk and Judicial Attorney on all communications with the court
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Berry’s Courtroom Filings
Hearing dates must be provided by the Court Clerk.
All dates must be given by the Court Clerk.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Contact the Court’s office if the Appellate Scheduling Order has not arrived within ten business days after the appeal is filed.
If the order is not received within (10) business days from the date of filing the appeal, please contact the Court's office.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Appeals
If April Sutton or Cheryl Bascomb cannot be reached by phone, leave a voicemail or email both with the reason for the call.
If you call into the court and cannot reach April Sutton or Cheryl Bascomb please either leave a voicemail or send both an email with your reason for calling at JudgeBerry-Court@3rdcc.org
Civil cases
Page 1 | Other
To obtain copies of orders, contact the County Clerk’s Records Department at (313)-224-5530.
Please contact the County Clerk’s office – Records Department for copies of orders. (313)-224-5530
Civil cases
Page 1 | Other