Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan Document Filing Requirements
400 rules from official source documents
Rules 1 to 50, page 1 of 8
Required elements, certificates, and structural requirements for court documents.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediation settlement
For a mediated settlement to be binding, its terms must be in a writing signed by the parties or acknowledged by them on an audio or video recording.
If a settlement is reached because of the mediation, to be binding, the terms of that settlement must be reduced to a writing signed by the parties or acknowledged by the parties on an audio or video recording.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediator appointment appeal
An applicant challenging a denial of appointment must submit a written appeal to the ADR Clerk.
Applicants may appeal a denial of appointment by submitting a written appeal to the ADR Clerk within twenty-one (21) days from the notice declining their appointment.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- ADR notification form
Parties submitting a matter to mediation or another ADR process must notify the Court using an ADR notification form.
They must give the Court notice of this submission by using an ADR notification form.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediator disposition report
The mediator's report of the disposition reached in mediation must be filed with the Court and is not confidential.
The mediator's report of the disposition reached through mediation must be filed with the Court and is not considered confidential.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Objection and hearing request
Objections to referral and requests for hearings must be made by motion under MCR 2.119.
Any objections and requests for hearings shall be made by motion pursuant to MCR 2.119.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Case evaluation fee demand letter
The fee-demand letter must state the amount owed, demand payment within 14 days of its date, and advise that collection proceedings may follow if unpaid.
If the ADR Clerk's examination reflects that such fees are still outstanding in a particular case, the ADR Clerk or designee shall promptly send by first class mail or e-mail to the affected counsel, or a party in pro per, (collectively, the person) a letter or e-mail (the letter) setting forth the fees owed by the person and demand for payment within fourteen days of the date of the letter. The letter shall advise that if the outstanding fees are not paid within the fourteen days, proceedings for collection of the same may be instituted before the Chief Judge of the Court.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Confidentiality statement
Every party participating in mediation must sign a confidentiality statement.
All parties to the mediation proceeding will be required to sign a confidentiality statement.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Adr order
An ADR referral order must provide for selection of the provider, timing, and payment, and may require attendance.
At any time, after consultation with or by stipulation of the parties, as determined by the applicable court rule, the Court may order the submission of a case to an appropriate ADR process. More than one such order may be entered in a case. Unless the specific rule under which the case is referred provides otherwise, in addition to other provisions the Court considers appropriate, the order shall (a) specify or make provision for selection of the ADR provider; (b) provide time limits for initiation and completion of the ADR process; and (c) make provision for the payment of the ADR provider. The order may require attendance at ADR proceedings as provided below.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Settlement documents
If mediation results in settlement, the attorneys must prepare and submit appropriate case-concluding documents to the assigned judge.
If the matter is settled through mediation, the attorneys will prepare and submit appropriate documents to the assigned judge within 21 days of settlement, to conclude the case.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order of referral
A mediation referral order must specify the mediation terms, including the objection deadline, mediator-selection period, fee apportionment, completion deadlines, and other ordered terms such as attendance or sanctions.
After consultation, the Court may issue an order of referral. The order must specify the terms of the mediation including: 1. The date by which any objection to the referral and request for hearing must be filed. 2. The time within which the parties may select a mediator. 3. The apportionment of fees. 4. Any deadlines imposed by the Court for completion of the mediation. 5. Any other court order regarding such issues as who must attend the mediation, possible sanctions for failure to comply with court orders, etc.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Case evaluation fee collection complaint
The fee-collection complaint must be assigned to the Chief Judge, bear the specified title, and seek an order to show cause directed to those with unpaid fees.
From time to time, but not less than once each year, the Mediation Tribunal Association shall file a new complaint assigned to the Chief Judge entitled, In the Matter of the Petition of the Mediation Tribunal Association for the Collection of Case Evaluation Fees, Circuit Court Case No. _______PZ, seeking an Order to Show Cause Why a Judgment Should Not Enter (the Order) to attorneys and/or parties (the affected person) who have not paid case evaluation fees under MCR 2.403(H) and (I)
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order to show cause
The order must require the affected person to appear before the Chief Judge no earlier than 14 days after mailing and show cause why judgment should not be entered.
requiring the affected person to appear before the Chief Judge, not less than 14 days after the mailing of the Order, and show cause why a money judgment should not be entered against an affected person in the amount of the outstanding case evaluation fees and any court costs incurred.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediator list application
Applications for the court-approved mediator list must be submitted to the MTA for review by its Neutral Selection Committee.
Applications for placement on the court-approved list of mediators must be submitted to the MTA and reviewed by the MTA Neutral Selection Committee.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediation stipulation and order
Parties agreeing to mediation must file a stipulation and order identifying the mediator and mediation date within 10 days of their agreement.
Parties stipulating to mediation must notify the Court and the ADR Clerk by filing the stipulation and order to mediate the case, containing the name of the mediator selected and the date of the mediation, within 10 days after reaching an agreement to mediate the case.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediation completion report
The mediator’s notice to the court must state only the mediation completion date, participants, settlement status, and whether further ADR proceedings are contemplated.
Within 7 days of the completion of mediation, the mediator shall so advise the court, stating only the date of completion of the process, who participated in the mediation, whether settlement was reached, and whether further ADR proceedings are contemplated.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mediator report
The mediator's report to the MTA must state the completion date, participants' names, whether settlement was reached, and whether further proceedings are contemplated.
Within 7 days after the conclusion of the mediation, the mediator must submit a report to the MTA stating: (1) the date the process was completed; (2) the names of the participants; (3) whether settlement was reached; and (4) whether further proceedings are contemplated.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Adjournment motion
A motion to adjourn must include the scheduling order and list all relevant dates, including the filing date, in its body.
Motions to Adjourn: Must include a copy of the scheduling order and list all relevant dates (including the filing date) in the body of the Motion.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Appeal filing
An appeal filing must include a motion and brief directing the Court to specific errors supported by the transcript.
Motion and Brief- directing this Court to specific errors supported by the Transcript.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Appeal filing
An appeal filing must include the lower-court transcript or the motions and orders being appealed.
Lower Court transcript or Motions and Orders Appealed.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Default judgment motion
A motion for default judgment must include relevant documents and an affidavit from a person with knowledge of the facts and circumstances supporting the requested relief.
Motions must include any relevant documents and an Affidavit of a person with knowledge of the facts and circumstances surrounding the relief requested.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Appeal filing
If required, include proof that the transcript was ordered when the appeal was filed.
Proof that the transcript was ordered upon filing, if required.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Post hearing date filings
After receiving a hearing date by email, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing, Proof of Service, and praecipe.
Once a hearing date is given via email, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing, Proof of Service and praecipe.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Brief
A party citing an unpublished case must append it and highlight its pertinent part.
A party must append, and highlight, the pertinent part of any unpublished case cited.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Summary disposition motion
After receiving a hearing date for a summary-disposition motion, the moving party must file a Notice of Hearing and a Praecipe.
After you receive a date, file a Notice of Hearing and a Praecipe with the court.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
Parties must obtain a hearing date from the Court before filing a motion.
Parties are not allowed to file a motion without first obtaining a date from the court.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion response
Written responses are required for all motions filed.
Written responses are required for all motions filed.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Appeal filing
A hard copy of the claim of appeal or application for leave to appeal must be sent to the Court.
A hard copy of the claim of appeal or leave for appeal must be sent to the Court.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Jury instructions
The Court must be provided with a list of all requested standard and special jury instructions.
Please provide the Court with a list of all requested standard and special jury instructions.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Settlement conference
Parties must submit a Settlement Conference Form to proceed with the settlement conference.
PARTIES MUST SUBMIT A SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE FORM TO CONTINUE WITH THE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Supplemental brief
Supplemental briefs may not be filed without leave of Court.
No supplemental briefs may be filed without leave of court (MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(iv)).
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
A Praecipe must be filed with the Court.
YOU MUST FILE A PRACEIPE WITH THE COURT.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion for reconsideration response
Responses to a Motion for Reconsideration are not permitted unless the Court specifically allows them.
No responses are permitted unless the Court specifically allows them.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Must include
- ai disclosure
Parties must disclose their use of AI.
Parties must disclose the use of AI.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Late summary disposition motion
Late summary-disposition motions will be rejected, and a motion for leave must be filed.
Late motions will be rejected and a motion for leave must be filed.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Praecipe
A Praecipe must list every plaintiff and defendant who is a party to the lawsuit or the Court Clerk will reject it.
PRAECIPES MUST LIST ALL PLAINTIFFS AND DEFENDANTS WHO ARE PARTIES TO THE LAWSUIT OR THE PRAECIPE WILL BE REJECTED BY THE COURT CLERK.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion for reconsideration
A hard copy of a Motion for Reconsideration must be sent to the Court before the motion will be considered.
A hard copy of the motion must be sent to the Court before the motion is considered.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Summary disposition motion
A summary-disposition motion filed after the scheduling deadline requires a motion to the Court and may be filed only by Court order.
Motions for Summary Disposition sought to be filed after the scheduling deadline must be made by motion to the court by the moving party, and the motion can only be filed by Court order.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Brief
A party citing an unpublished case must append and highlight the pertinent portion of that case.
A party must append, and highlight, the pertinent part of any unpublished case cited.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Order
The order must state the facilitation date and any new facilitation or settlement-conference date.
The order must state the date of facilitation and the new date of any facilitation and settlement conference.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
The movant must file a motion praecipe and notice of hearing and provide the clerk a hard copy of the motion.
The movant must file a motion praecipe, notice of hearing and a hard copy of the motion with the clerk or the court will not know the motion has been filed.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Praecipe
The moving party must file a praecipe after the clerk provides the motion hearing date.
Moving party must file praecipe after clerk provides motion hearing date.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
The pretrial order must list all requested jury instructions by number.
3. Plaintiff and Defendant must list all requested jury instructions by number.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Jury instructions
The parties must provide the Court a copy of the proposed jury instructions for the jurors.
Parties must provide to the Court with a copy for the jurors.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Order
The order must state the summons expiration date.
The expiration shall be stated in the order.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
The pretrial order must list the exhibits that will actually be introduced at trial.
2. Plaintiff and Defendant must list all exhibits be actually introduced at trial.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
The pretrial order must list only witnesses actually expected to be called at trial.
1. Plaintiff and Defendant must list only actual witnesses to be called at trial.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Brief
A party must request appellate oral argument in a brief, and argument will be held within 30 days after receipt of the briefs.
Oral argument: Held on Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Must be requested by a party in the brief. Argument is within 30 days after receipt of briefs.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
Any exhibits and referenced information must be included or attached to the motion and response, if applicable.
NOTE: Exhibits and information referred to shall be included or attached to the Motion and Response if applicable.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Praecipe
In Driver’s License Restoration cases, the movant must file a praecipe to schedule the hearing and serve the Secretary of State and Attorney General.
Movant must File Praecipe to Schedule Hearing Date and Time Movant must serve Secretary of State and Attorney General.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Order
The parties must present an order listing the facilitation date and facilitator and including a clerk-obtained return date within ten business days after facilitation.
The parties must present an Order to the Court which includes: a. The date of Facilitation, b. Name of the Facilitator; c. Return date for (obtained from the Court Clerk) Pretrial/Settlement Conference/Motion Hearing, to court within (10) business days after the completion of Facilitation. d. The pretrial/settlement/motion hearing date must be obtained by the parties from the Court by calling the Court Clerk and include that date in the order.
What must be included with mediation settlement filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
For a mediated settlement to be binding, its terms must be in a writing signed by the parties or acknowledged by them on an audio or video recording.
What must be included with mediator appointment appeal filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
An applicant challenging a denial of appointment must submit a written appeal to the ADR Clerk.
What must be included with adr notification form filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
Parties submitting a matter to mediation or another ADR process must notify the Court using an ADR notification form.
What must be included with mediator disposition report filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
The mediator's report of the disposition reached in mediation must be filed with the Court and is not confidential.
What must be included with objection and hearing request filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
Objections to referral and requests for hearings must be made by motion under MCR 2.119.
What must be included with case evaluation fee demand letter filings in Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan?
The fee-demand letter must state the amount owed, demand payment within 14 days of its date, and advise that collection proceedings may follow if unpaid.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.