Judge Michael Servitto
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Proposed Exhibits
Adjournments
- A summons-extension request will be granted only if the plaintiff demonstrates due diligence in attempting to serve the original summons.
- The filing party may obtain an adjournment of a motion by contacting the clerk or secretary.
- Scheduling-order and discovery-extension requests are addressed at the status conference before discovery closes, and parties should not file a stipulated order or motion for those extensions.
- +2 more
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements3 rules
Have proposed exhibits marked by the court reporter.
Joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph.
At the discretion of the trial Judge, photocopies of completed SJI's are acceptable provided that blank spaces are completed and any alternatives in the instructions are chosen. Each instruction shall be on a separate sheet.
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
Fourteen days before trial date, supply witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, if medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
If cases or statutes are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.
However, in Judge Servitto’s court in which video is utilized, the attorneys are responsible for marking exhibits and preparing an exhibit log.
Counsel shall have stipulations for entry or stated reasons for objections.
Submit a Trial Brief containing a brief statement of facts, issues, theory of case and memorandum of law.
- Document
- Trial brief
Include
- •Legal argument
- •Statement of facts
Prepare stipulations in writing, if any, to be placed on the record.
Requests for alternative service must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, an affidavit of the process server showing reasonable efforts (at least 3 attempts) to make service of process and a postal verification.
- Document
- Alternative service request
Must include
- •Proposed order
Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a motion and proposed order and must be submitted prior to the expiration of the original summons.
- Document
- Summons extension request
Must include
- •Proposed order
If a jury trial, to the extent possible, have completed, typed jury instructions, including proposed jury verdict form for the Court and all counsel (not just by jury instruction number).
In jury cases, submit to the Court in writing special jury questions that counsel desire to be asked of the prospective jurors. The Court reserves the right to conduct the voir dire.
If the parties have not resolved the objections, the parties shall contact the Judge's secretary for a hearing date regarding the deposition objections.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing is mandatory for current e-File cases and new civil matters assigned to Judge Servitto with case types C, N, AA, AE, AP, AR, or AV.
Electronic filing is mandatory for all current e-File cases and new civil matters with “C”, “N”, “AA”, “AE”, “AP”, “AR” or “AV” case-types assigned to Judge Servitto.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — E-Filing
After filing a complaint in the clerk's office, subsequent pleadings must be filed electronically through the court's website at mifile.michigan.gov.
After a complaint is filed in the Clerk’s Office, subsequent pleadings must be filed electronically on the Court’s eFiling website: mifile.michigan.gov.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — E-Filing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responses to motions in limine and trial motions must be filed with the judge and opposing counsel 38 days before trial.
File all motions in limine and/or trial motions with the Judge and counsel 45 days before trial date with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 38 days before trial date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
At least 14 days before trial, counsel must supply sufficient copies of a witness list to the court and all counsel, identifying actual and probable witnesses, their appearance mode, and specified practice details for medical experts.
Fourteen days before trial date, supply witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition and, if medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices and his or her specialty.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Any deposition objections, supported by law and argument, must be submitted to the judge and opposing counsel no later than 14 days before trial.
If depositions have objections therein, the parties shall submit to the Judge and opposing counsel no later than 14 days before trial date, the objections with supporting law including argument, with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
All motions in limine and trial motions must be filed 45 days before trial, with responses filed 38 days before trial; motions filed on the trial date will be entertained only for good cause shown.
File all motions in limine and/or trial motions with the Judge and counsel 45 days before trial date with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 38 days before trial date. Motions on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Deposition objections filed on the trial date will not be entertained unless good cause is shown.
Objections to depositions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
A summons-extension request must be submitted before the original summons expires.
Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a motion and proposed order and must be submitted prior to the expiration of the original summons.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Extending Summons (Second Summons)
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Alternative service must be supported by reasonable efforts, including at least three service attempts and postal verification.
Requests for alternative service must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, an affidavit of the process server showing reasonable efforts (at least 3 attempts) to make service of process and a postal verification.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Alternate Service
Filing Fees and Waivers
When a case-evaluation hearing is already scheduled, the parties must pay a $150 adjournment fee before submitting the order for entry.
If a Case Evaluation Hearing has already been scheduled, the parties must pay the $150 adjournment fee prior to submitting the order for entry.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Scheduling Orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Whenever practicable, exhibit copies should be furnished to the court and opposing counsel for use during trial.
Whenever practicable, copies shall be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel for use during the trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Judge Servitto does not require courtesy copies of any type of motion.
Judge Michael Servitto DOES NOT require courtesy copies of any type of motion.
Page 1 | Scheduling dates and times — Civil Cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A summons-extension request will be granted only if the plaintiff demonstrates due diligence in attempting to serve the original summons.
Such requests will only be granted upon a showing of due diligence by plaintiff in attempting to serve the original summons.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Extending Summons (Second Summons)
Status/Settlement Conferences - requests for adjournments may be made by stipulation. The reason(s) for the request, the date to be adjourned and a new date must be stated in the order. Please obtain a new date from the Clerk or Secretary.
Status/Settlement Conferences - requests for adjournments may be made by stipulation. The reason(s) for the request, the date to be adjourned and a new date must be stated in the order. Please obtain a new date from the Clerk or Secretary.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments
Criminal-matter adjournment requests should be directed to the clerk or secretary.
Criminal matters – Contact Clerk or Secretary.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments
Scheduling-order and discovery-extension requests are addressed at the status conference before discovery closes, and parties should not file a stipulated order or motion for those extensions.
Judge Servitto will address scheduling order date and discovery extension requests at the Status Conference scheduled prior to the close of discovery. Please do not file a stipulated order or a motion for discovery extensions.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Scheduling Orders
The filing party may obtain an adjournment of a motion by contacting the clerk or secretary.
Motions – may be adjourned by filing party by contacting Clerk or Secretary.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments