General Civil Case Cover Sheet

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET

State of Michigan — Circuit and District Courts

(SCAO Case Type Code Classification — Administrative Filing Requirement)

FILING REQUIREMENT NOTICE: Michigan trial courts require identification of the proper SCAO Case Type Code when initiating a civil action. The case type code is a two-letter designation appended to the end of the case number assigned by the clerk. This cover sheet is designed to facilitate proper case classification under State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) guidelines. Practitioners should verify whether the specific court requires the official SCAO Case Cover Sheet, a Case Inventory Addendum, or another locally mandated form. Some courts use the TrueFiling or other e-filing portals that collect this information electronically during the filing process.

I. COURT AND CASE CAPTION

STATE OF MICHIGAN

CASE CAPTION

II. FILER IDENTITY AND CAPACITY

☐ Attorney for Plaintiff(s)
☐ Attorney for Defendant(s) (filing counterclaim or cross-claim)
☐ Self-Represented Plaintiff
☐ Self-Represented Defendant
☐ Other (Describe): [________________________________]

III. PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s)

B. Defendant(s)

(Attach supplemental pages for additional parties using the same format)

IV. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

A. Filing Attorney

B. Opposing Attorney (if known)

Self-Represented Litigants: Enter "Pro Se" in the Attorney Name field and provide your personal contact information. You may also need to complete SCAO Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request) if you are unable to pay the filing fee.

V. SCAO CASE TYPE CODES — SELECT ONE PRIMARY CODE

(Select the single case type code that best describes the principal subject matter of the complaint or petition. The SCAO Case Type Code chart is published at courts.michigan.gov and is periodically updated.)

A. PERSONAL INJURY — TORT

☐ NI — Auto Negligence (Personal Injury) — All claims of personal injury, or personal injury and property damage, involving a motor vehicle
☐ NF — No-Fault Automobile Insurance — First-party PIP benefits, mini-tort recovery under MCL 500.3135
☐ NO — Other Personal Injury — Premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, slip and fall, and all other personal injury claims not classified as NI or NF
☐ NH — Professional Malpractice (Non-Medical) — Legal malpractice, accounting malpractice, and other professional negligence
☐ NM — Medical Malpractice — Claims against healthcare providers under MCL 600.2912a
☐ ND — Wrongful Death — Claims for death caused by negligence or wrongful act

B. PROPERTY — TORT

☐ PD — Property Damage — Claims for damage to real or personal property

C. CONTRACT / COMMERCIAL

☐ CK — Contracts — Breach of contract, UCC claims, contractual obligations, promissory notes
☐ CH — Construction Lien — Claims under Michigan Construction Lien Act (MCL 570.1101 et seq.)
☐ CB — Business Claims — Partnership dissolution, shareholder disputes, business torts
☐ CC — Consumer Protection — Claims under Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCL 445.901 et seq.)

D. REAL PROPERTY

☐ CH — Construction Lien (see above)
☐ LT — Landlord-Tenant / Summary Proceedings — Eviction, lease disputes (MCL 600.5701 et seq.)
☐ SP — Land Contract Forfeiture / Summary Proceedings
☐ RP — Real Property — Quiet title, boundary disputes, easements, condemnation

E. DOMESTIC RELATIONS

☐ DM — Divorce (with minor children)
☐ DO — Divorce (no minor children)
☐ DC — Custody — Custody, parenting time, or support actions
☐ DP — Paternity — Actions to establish paternity
☐ DS — Support — Spousal support or child support modification

F. PERSONAL PROTECTION

☐ PP — Personal Protection (Domestic) — PPO under MCL 600.2950 between individuals in domestic relationships
☐ PH — Personal Protection (Non-Domestic / Stalking) — PPO under MCL 600.2950a

G. GENERAL CIVIL / EQUITY

☐ CZ — General Civil — Declaratory judgment, injunction, equitable relief, and all other civil actions not specifically classified
☐ AE — Administrative Appeal — Appeals from agency or tribunal decisions
☐ AV — Civil Appeal (from District Court) — Appeals from lower court civil judgments
☐ CE — Condemnation / Eminent Domain — MCL 213.51 et seq.
☐ CF — Forfeiture — Civil asset forfeiture proceedings
☐ CS — Claim and Delivery — Replevin actions under MCL 600.2920
☐ GC — Garnishment (after judgment)

H. MISCELLANEOUS

☐ MX — Miscellaneous Civil — Any civil matter not covered above (Describe): [________________________________]

VI. MANNER OF FILING

☐ Initial Complaint / Petition
☐ Counterclaim
☐ Cross-Claim
☐ Third-Party Complaint (MCR 2.204)
☐ Amended Complaint
☐ Transfer from Another Court
☐ Other (Describe): [________________________________]

VII. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

☐ $0 – $3,000
☐ $3,001 – $10,000
☐ $10,001 – $25,000
☐ $25,001 – $75,000
☐ Over $75,000
☐ Non-monetary relief only
☐ Amount not determinable at this time

Exact amount claimed (if liquidated): $ [________________________________]

Jurisdictional Note: Circuit courts have general jurisdiction over civil matters exceeding $25,000 and equitable claims. District courts handle civil matters where the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000 (MCL 600.8301).

VIII. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial demanded pursuant to MCR 2.508 — Fee tendered
☐ Jury trial NOT demanded at this time

Practice Note: Under MCR 2.508(A), a jury demand must be filed on or before the date the case is set for trial or within 28 days after the filing of an answer, whichever is earlier. Under MCL 600.2529, a jury demand fee of $85.00 is required in circuit court.

IX. SERVICE OF PROCESS INFORMATION

A. Method of Service Requested

☐ Personal Service by Court Officer / Process Server (MCR 2.103)
☐ Registered or Certified Mail (MCR 2.105(A)(2))
☐ Service by Publication (MCR 2.106)
☐ Service on Secretary of State — Nonresident / Corporate Agent (MCL 600.1901 et seq.)
☐ Waiver of Service
☐ Other (Describe): [________________________________]

B. Summons Requested

☐ Yes — Number of summonses to be issued: [____]
☐ No

Summons Forms: Circuit Court summons is SCAO Form MC 01; District Court summons is SCAO Form DC 01. Prepare a separate summons for each defendant.

X. RELATED CASES

1. Are there any related, companion, or previously filed cases involving the same parties or substantially the same subject matter in any Michigan court?

☐ Yes ☐ No

2. If "Yes," provide the following:

3. Has any judge been previously assigned to a related matter?

☐ Yes ☐ No

If "Yes," identify: [________________________________]

XI. FILING FEE CALCULATION

(Per MCL 600.2529 (Circuit Court) and MCL 600.8371 (District Court))

Method of Payment:
☐ Cash ☐ Check ☐ Money Order ☐ Credit/Debit Card ☐ E-Payment ☐ Fee Waiver Granted (SCAO Form MC 20)

Note: Filing fees are subject to legislative adjustment. Verify current amounts with the clerk before filing. If unable to pay, file SCAO Form MC 20 (Affidavit and Order — Suspension of Fees/Costs) with supporting documentation.

XII. E-FILING COMPLIANCE

(Many Michigan courts require or strongly encourage electronic filing through TrueFiling or the MiFILE system.)

☐ This filing is submitted electronically through the court's approved e-filing system
☐ This filing is submitted in person (paper filing)
☐ This filing is submitted by mail

E-Filing Confirmation / Transaction Number: [________________________________]

Important: When e-filing, the system may require direct entry of the SCAO Case Type Code. Verify that the code selected in this cover sheet matches the code entered in the e-filing portal. Discrepancies may cause rejection or delay in case initiation.

XIII. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned attorney or self-represented litigant, certify that:

1. The information provided on this Civil Case Cover Sheet is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry;

2. The selected SCAO Case Type Code accurately reflects the principal subject matter of the complaint or petition;

3. The required filing fee has been tendered or an appropriate fee-waiver request is contemporaneously submitted;

4. I understand that this cover sheet is submitted for administrative and statistical purposes and does not supplement or modify the substantive pleadings;

5. I understand that failure to comply with the above representations may result in sanctions under MCR 2.114 and MCR 1.109(E), including striking of pleadings, dismissal, or monetary penalties.

Electronic Signatures: Permitted pursuant to MCR 1.109(E)(4). Use the format "/s/ [Name]" when filing electronically.

XIV. CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY

(Do not write below this line)

XV. FILING CHECKLIST

☐ Complaint / Petition (original plus copies per local rule)
☐ This Civil Case Cover Sheet (or current SCAO Case Inventory Addendum)
☐ Summons — Circuit Court (SCAO Form MC 01) or District Court (SCAO Form DC 01) — one per defendant
☐ Filing Fee (per Section XI) or Fee-Waiver Application (SCAO Form MC 20)
☐ Affidavit of Merit — Medical Malpractice (if applicable — MCL 600.2912d)
☐ Notice of Intent — Medical Malpractice (if applicable — MCL 600.2912b)
☐ Verified Complaint (if required by statute or court rule)
☐ Corporate Disclosure Statement (if party is a corporation — MCR 2.110(D))
☐ Additional Local Forms (if any — check with specific court)

XVI. PRACTICE TIPS FOR MICHIGAN CIVIL FILINGS

1. Case Type Code Verification: Always consult the full SCAO Case Type Code chart (available at courts.michigan.gov) before selecting a code. The abbreviated list in Section V is not exhaustive. If uncertain, contact the clerk's office.

2. Filing Deadlines: Michigan's general statute of limitations for personal injury is three years (MCL 600.5805(2)); for contracts, six years (MCL 600.5807(8)). Medical malpractice has a two-year statute of limitations with a six-month extension (MCL 600.5805(8), MCL 600.5856).

3. Medical Malpractice Pre-Suit Requirements: Under MCL 600.2912b, a notice of intent to file a claim must be served at least 182 days before filing suit. An affidavit of merit (MCL 600.2912d) must accompany the complaint.

4. Case Evaluation: Under MCR 2.403, circuit court cases may be subject to mandatory case evaluation. A separate fee may apply.

5. E-Filing: Check whether your court has adopted mandatory e-filing. Many Michigan courts use the TrueFiling or MiFILE platform. Paper filing may still be available for self-represented litigants.

6. Confidential Information: Under MCR 1.109(D)(9), do not include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, or dates of birth in public filings unless required by statute.

7. Local Administrative Orders: Each circuit and district court may have local administrative orders that supplement statewide rules. Check the specific court's website for any additional requirements.

XVII. SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Michigan Court Rules (MCR), Chapters 1–2 (General Provisions and Civil Procedure)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 600.2529 (Circuit Court Filing Fees)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 600.8371 (District Court Filing Fees)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 600.8301 (District Court Jurisdiction)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 600.2912a–d (Medical Malpractice Requirements)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 600.5805–5807 (Statutes of Limitation)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 570.1101 et seq. (Construction Lien Act)
• Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 445.901 et seq. (Consumer Protection Act)
• SCAO Case Type Code Chart — https://www.courts.michigan.gov
• SCAO Forms Index — https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/
• Michigan Legal Help — https://michiganlegalhelp.org

End of Michigan General Civil Case Cover Sheet Template