Michigan Civil Case Cover Sheet / Case Information

MICHIGAN CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET / CASE INFORMATION

Circuit Court / District Court -- SCAO Case Type Code System

FILING INFORMATION

This case information sheet assists in gathering data for filing a civil action in Michigan Circuit Court or District Court. Michigan uses the SCAO (State Court Administrative Office) case type code system to classify all civil cases. The correct case type code must be entered on the case caption and all subsequent filings. All filings should be made through the MiFILE e-filing system (powered by TrueFiling).

Form Type: Michigan SCAO Civil Case Information
Governing Authority: Michigan Court Rules; MCL 600.2529
Filing Method: ☐ MiFILE / TrueFiling (Electronic) ☐ Paper Filing
Court Level: ☐ Circuit Court ☐ District Court

PART 1: COURT DESIGNATION

IN THE [________________________________] COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF [________________________________], MICHIGAN
(Select: Circuit Court or District Court)

Michigan Circuit Courts (57 Circuits)

Michigan has 57 judicial circuits covering 83 counties. Major circuits include:

Note: Wayne County (3rd Circuit) is Michigan's largest circuit and has specialized divisions and local administrative orders. The 3rd Circuit maintains a Business Court docket and has detailed local rules that supplement the Michigan Court Rules.

Jurisdiction Selection

• ☐ Circuit Court -- Claims exceeding $25,000; equitable actions; title to real property; all actions not within the exclusive jurisdiction of another court
• ☐ District Court -- Claims up to $25,000; landlord-tenant; land contract forfeiture; summary proceedings

PART 2: CASE CAPTION WITH SCAO CODE

STATE OF MICHIGAN
IN THE [CIRCUIT / DISTRICT] COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF [________________________________]

[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),
                                                    Case No.: ________________
        v.                                          (Assigned by Clerk)

                                                    Case Type Code: [____]
[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

Hon. [________________________________]

Important: The SCAO case type code MUST appear in the caption of the complaint and all subsequent filings per MCR 2.113(C)(2).

PART 3: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

Plaintiff 1:

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [________________]

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached sheet

Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

Defendant 1:

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone (if known): [________________________________]
• Email (if known): [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable):

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone (if known): [________________________________]
• Email (if known): [________________________________]

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached sheet

PART 4: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Filing Attorney

• Attorney Name: [________________________________]
• Michigan Bar Number (P-Number): P[________________________________]
• Firm Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Fax: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff(s) ☐ Defendant(s)

Self-Represented Party (if applicable)

• ☐ Filing party is self-represented (in propria persona)
• Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]

PART 5: SCAO CASE TYPE CODE CLASSIFICATION

Enter the appropriate SCAO case type code. The case type code MUST appear in the case caption (MCR 2.113(C)(2)).

Selected Case Type Code: [____]
Description: [________________________________]

Tort -- Motor Vehicle

Tort -- Other Personal Injury / Property Damage

Contract / Debt / Commercial

Real Property / Housing

Employment

Administrative / Government

Business / Commercial Court

Miscellaneous Civil

PART 6: CASE CATEGORY

Check the primary category corresponding to the SCAO case type code selected above:

Tort Cases

• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Personal injury (NI)
• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Property damage (ND)
• ☐ No-fault insurance (NF)
• ☐ Other personal injury (NO)
• ☐ Products liability (NP)
• ☐ Medical malpractice (NH)
• ☐ Other professional malpractice (NM)
• ☐ Other negligence (NZ)

Contract / Commercial

• ☐ Contract (CK)
• ☐ Consumer credit (CL)
• ☐ Labor / Employment (CE)
• ☐ Business Court candidate (CB)

Real Property

• ☐ Housing and real estate (CH)
• ☐ Landlord-tenant (LT)
• ☐ Land contract forfeiture (SP)
• ☐ Condemnation (CA/CB)

Administrative / Governmental

• ☐ Administrative appeal (AA)
• ☐ Civil rights (AV)
• ☐ Writs (AW)
• ☐ Environmental (PE)
• ☐ Tax (CT)

Miscellaneous

• ☐ General civil (CZ)
• ☐ Receivership (CP)
• ☐ Shareholder derivative (CS)
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

PART 7: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

Monetary Relief

• ☐ $0 -- $3,000 (Small Claims Division, MCL 600.8401)
• ☐ $3,001 -- $6,500 (Small Claims)
• ☐ $6,501 -- $12,500 (District Court)
• ☐ $12,501 -- $25,000 (District Court)
• ☐ $25,001 -- $50,000 (Circuit Court)
• ☐ $50,001 -- $100,000
• ☐ $100,001 -- $250,000
• ☐ Over $250,000
• ☐ Amount cannot be determined

Specific Amount Claimed (if known): $ [________________________________]

Note: District Court has exclusive jurisdiction for civil claims up to $25,000. Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction for claims exceeding $25,000, equitable actions, and cases involving title to real property.

Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

• ☐ Injunctive relief
• ☐ Declaratory relief
• ☐ Specific performance
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Punitive / Exemplary Damages

• ☐ Exemplary damages claimed
• ☐ No exemplary damages claimed

Note: Michigan generally does not allow punitive damages in most civil actions. Exemplary damages may be available in certain statutory claims (e.g., consumer protection, civil rights).

PART 8: JURY DEMAND

• ☐ Jury trial demanded (MCR 2.508)
• ☐ Non-jury (bench trial)
• ☐ Jury demand to be filed later

Jury Demand Fee: $85.00 (in addition to filing fee)

Michigan Jury Demand: Under MCR 2.508(B), a party may demand a trial by jury on any issue triable of right by a jury by filing a written demand with the court within 28 days after the filing of the answer or the last pleading directed to that issue. Failure to file a timely demand constitutes a waiver.

PART 9: RELATED CASES

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Michigan court?

• ☐ No related cases
• ☐ Yes -- provide the following:

PART 10: FILING FEES

Michigan Circuit Court Filing Fees (MCL 600.2529; February 2025)

Michigan District Court Filing Fees

Note: Filing fees are established by MCL 600.2529 (Circuit Court) and MCL 600.8371 (District Court). A $25.00 e-filing system fee is included in the Circuit Court filing fee for all new case filings whether filed electronically or on paper. Verify current fees with the Clerk before filing. Fee waivers available upon motion.

Filing Fee Paid: $ [________________________________]
Receipt Number: [________________________________]
Date Paid: [__/__/____]
Method: ☐ Cash ☐ Check ☐ Credit Card ☐ MiFILE Payment ☐ Fee Waiver

Fee Waiver

• ☐ Motion and affidavit for waiver of fees filed (MCR 2.002)
• ☐ Fee waiver previously granted -- Order Date: [__/__/____]

PART 11: CASE EVALUATION AND ADR (MCR 2.403, 2.410, 2.411)

Case Evaluation (MCR 2.403)

Michigan courts may order case evaluation for any civil action in which the relief sought is primarily money damages or division of property.

• ☐ This case may be subject to case evaluation under MCR 2.403
• ☐ This case is not appropriate for case evaluation

Case Evaluation Sanctions: Under MCR 2.403(O), if a party rejects the case evaluation award and the action proceeds to trial, and the verdict is not more favorable to that party than the case evaluation, the rejecting party must pay the opposing party's actual costs (including attorney fees) from the date of the rejection.

Mediation (MCR 2.411)

• ☐ Parties are willing to participate in mediation
• ☐ Parties are willing to participate in facilitative mediation
• ☐ Mediation is not appropriate at this time

Other ADR

• ☐ Arbitration (MCR 2.410)
• ☐ Early neutral evaluation
• ☐ Summary jury trial
• ☐ Mini-trial
• ☐ Other ADR method: [________________________________]

ADR Costs

Unless agreed otherwise by the parties or ordered by the court, mediation costs are divided pro rata among the parties (MCR 2.411(D)(2)).

PART 12: BUSINESS COURT DESIGNATION

Michigan Business Courts operate in selected circuits to handle complex commercial disputes.

Business Court Eligibility (MCR 2.225)

• ☐ This case qualifies for Business Court assignment
• ☐ This case does not qualify for Business Court
• ☐ Request to assign to Business Court filed

Business Court Available Circuits (as of 2026)

• ☐ 3rd Circuit (Wayne County)
• ☐ 6th Circuit (Oakland County)
• ☐ 13th Circuit (Grand Traverse / Leelanau)
• ☐ 16th Circuit (Macomb County)
• ☐ 17th Circuit (Kent County)
• ☐ 22nd Circuit (Washtenaw County)
• ☐ Other Circuit with Business Court docket: [________________________________]

Qualifying Case Types

• ☐ Actions arising out of business or commercial disputes between business entities
• ☐ Shareholder derivative actions
• ☐ Actions involving governance of business entities
• ☐ Commercial real property disputes
• ☐ Trade secret and non-compete disputes
• ☐ Actions under the Uniform Commercial Code
• ☐ Securities actions
• ☐ Other qualifying business dispute: [________________________________]

PART 13: SERVICE OF PROCESS

Method of Service (MCR 2.105)

Defendant 1: [________________________________]

• ☐ Personal service (MCR 2.105(A)(1))
• ☐ Service at usual place of abode (MCR 2.105(A)(2))
• ☐ Service on registered agent -- corporation (MCR 2.105(D))
• ☐ Service on LARA (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) as agent (MCR 2.105(D)(4))
• ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (MCR 2.105(A)(2))
• ☐ Service by publication (MCR 2.106) -- ☐ Court order obtained
• ☐ Acknowledgment of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable): [________________________________]

• ☐ Personal service (MCR 2.105(A)(1))
• ☐ Service at usual place of abode (MCR 2.105(A)(2))
• ☐ Service on registered agent -- corporation (MCR 2.105(D))
• ☐ Service on LARA as agent (MCR 2.105(D)(4))
• ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested (MCR 2.105(A)(2))
• ☐ Service by publication (MCR 2.106)
• ☐ Acknowledgment of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Service Tracking

PART 14: ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

• ☐ Interpreter needed -- Language: [________________________________]
• ☐ ADA accommodation needed -- Describe: [________________________________]
• ☐ No accommodations needed

PART 15: ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided in this case information sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that the correct SCAO case type code has been identified and will appear in the caption of the complaint and all subsequent filings per MCR 2.113(C)(2).

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
Signature of Attorney / Pro Se Party

[________________________________]
Printed Name

Michigan Bar Number: P[________________]
Attorney for: [________________________________]
Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

PART 16: FILING INSTRUCTIONS

MiFILE Electronic Filing (Powered by TrueFiling)

1. E-Filing System: Michigan uses MiFILE, powered by TrueFiling, for statewide electronic filing
2. Filing Portal: Access MiFILE at https://mifile.courts.michigan.gov/ or https://truefiling.com/mifile/
3. Registration: Create a free MiFILE account. No charge for the account itself
4. Mandatory E-Filing: Check with the specific court for mandatory e-filing requirements. Many circuits require e-filing for attorneys
5. Payment: Filing fees are payable through MiFILE via credit card or electronic check. Three types of fees apply: (a) statutory filing fee, (b) e-filing system fee ($25.00 for new cases), and (c) credit card processing fee
6. Case Type Code: Select the correct SCAO case type code during the e-filing process
7. Confirmation: MiFILE issues an electronic filing confirmation upon acceptance

Paper Filing

1. File the original complaint with the Clerk of the Circuit or District Court
2. Include the correct filing fee
3. Ensure the SCAO case type code appears in the caption
4. Provide copies for service on all defendants
5. Include summons for each defendant

Required Documents

• ☐ Complaint / Petition (with SCAO case type code in caption)
• ☐ Summons (for each defendant)
• ☐ Case information form (SCAO form or e-filing equivalent)
• ☐ Jury demand (if applicable -- $85.00 fee)
• ☐ Certificate of Service
• ☐ Motion for Fee Waiver and Affidavit (if applicable)
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES

Michigan-Specific Practice Considerations

1. Case Type Code in Caption: MCR 2.113(C)(2) requires the SCAO case type code to appear in the caption of every document filed with the court. Failure to include the code may result in the filing being rejected.

2. Wayne County (3rd Circuit) Local Rules: Wayne County has extensive local administrative orders, including detailed rules for the Business Court docket, case management conferences, and motion practice. Always consult the Wayne County local rules.

3. Service Deadline: Under MCR 2.102(D), if service is not made within 91 days after filing the complaint, the court will dismiss the action without prejudice unless good cause is shown.

4. Responsive Pleading: The defendant has 21 days after service to file an answer or responsive motion. If served by mail or outside Michigan, the defendant has 28 days (MCR 2.108(A)).

5. Case Evaluation Sanctions (MCR 2.403): This is a critical Michigan-specific provision. If a party rejects a case evaluation award and does not improve their position at trial, they must pay the other side's actual costs from the rejection date. This can include reasonable attorney fees.

6. Medical Malpractice Notice and Affidavit: Before filing a medical malpractice complaint, the plaintiff must provide written notice to the health professional or health facility at least 182 days before filing (MCL 600.2912b). The complaint must be accompanied by an affidavit of merit from a qualified expert (MCL 600.2912d).

7. Limitations Periods (Common):
   - Contract: 6 years (MCL 600.5807(8))
   - Personal injury: 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))
   - Property damage: 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))
   - Medical malpractice: 2 years with 6-month discovery extension (MCL 600.5805(8), 600.5838a)
   - Products liability: 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))
   - Fraud: 6 years (MCL 600.5813)
   - Wrongful death: 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))

8. Modified Comparative Fault: Michigan follows modified comparative fault. A plaintiff's damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. Recovery is barred if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault (MCL 600.2959).

9. No-Fault Insurance: Michigan's no-fault auto insurance system (MCL 500.3101 et seq.) is unique. Personal injury claims from auto accidents are generally handled through no-fault insurance, with tort claims available only in cases of serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or death.

10. Business Court: Business Courts are available in selected circuits and handle commercial disputes over $25,000 involving business entities. Business Court judges have expertise in commercial law and often provide more efficient case management.

11. Scheduling Conference: The court will typically issue a scheduling order within weeks of the answer being filed. The scheduling order sets deadlines for discovery, case evaluation, mediation, dispositive motions, and trial.

12. Discovery Period: Standard discovery in Michigan Circuit Court runs from the date of the scheduling conference to the case evaluation date, typically 9 to 12 months. The specific timeline is set by the scheduling order.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Michigan Court Rules: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/
• SCAO Case Type Codes: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/court-administration/standardsguidelines/casefile/cf_casetypecodes.pdf
• Circuit Court Filing Fees: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/publications/fines,-fees,-costs,-and-rates/
• MiFILE E-Filing Portal: https://mifile.courts.michigan.gov/
• SCAO Approved Forms: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/
• Michigan Legal Help (Case Type Codes): https://michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/going-court/how-find-case-type-code