Michigan Supreme Court Adopts Civil Discovery Rule Amendments
The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday adopted extensive amendments to the rules governing civil discovery. The rules were developed by the State Bar of Michigan Civil Discovery Rule Review Special Committee, which was chaired by Daniel D. Quick. The rules provide that the scope of discovery should be proportional to the needs of the case, adopt initial disclosure requirements, and clarify issues concerning electronically stored information.
“This package of rule changes represents the most comprehensive effort to improve civil discovery rules in at least a generation,” said Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack. “The Court is grateful to the State Bar for its hard work to update and streamline discovery, to make it more efficient and effective for the public.”
Meanwhile, Quick noted that discovery is the “most expensive and burdensome element of civil litigation.” As such, “Michigan is now modernizing its rules to stress active case management” and ensure that discovery is “proportional to the needs of the case,” he said. “These rules will assist all litigants but will also help increase access to justice by making discovery less costly, providing litigants with sufficient information to identify contested issues early in the pre-trial process, and giving our judges the discretion to right-size discovery to allow litigants the opportunity to have their day in court.”
State Bar of Michigan President Jennifer M. Grieco said the new civil discovery rules are a “step forward to increasing the public’s access to Michigan courts” and will allow litigants to more efficiently resolve their disputes at a lower cost. “I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of our Civil Discovery committee and subcommittee members, especially Dan Quick for his leadership on this project,” she said. “I am also grateful to all of our members, sections, committees, local bars, and affinity bars that provided feedback as the committee developed the rules.”
The new civil discovery rules are available online and will be effective on January 1, 2020. The State Bar of Michigan will be developing educational tools and webinars to prepare practitioners for the upcoming changes in the civil discovery process.
Michigan House backs highway designation for Aretha Franklin
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Legislature is honoring the late Queen of Soul with a highway designation.
The state Senate voted 32-5 on Thursday to designate a portion of M-10 in Detroit as the "Aretha L. Franklin Memorial Highway." Franklin died in Detroit last year after battling pancreatic cancer.
The legislation will soon go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature.
Supporters say dedicating a portion of the highway is a way to honor the musical and cultural icon, who grew up in Detroit and learned the gospel fundamentals at New Bethel Baptist Church.
Some Republicans who oppose the bill have said such designations should only go to fallen first responders and military veterans.
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