Judge Paul J. Cusick
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Response
Adjournments
- Attorneys may stipulate to adjourn the first settlement conference by up to 90 days if they are willing to facilitate.
- Without a stipulation, a settlement conference may be adjourned one to two weeks, only on a Wednesday or Thursday morning.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Each instruction must be on separate page, in size 14 font, case specific, and gender specific.
- Font size
- 14 points
- Jury instructions
All exhibits must be tabbed with numbers or letters.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
The stipulated order must include: (1) the name of the facilitator; (2) the date of facilitation (within the 90 days of when the first settlement conference was scheduled); and (3) the new settlement conference date (obtained from the court clerk).
The stipulations must include the date of facilitation, and the date of discovery cutoff.
Counsel must schedule motions with clerk. A Praecipe is required.
Joint Pre-Trial Orders shall be filed in advance as ordered.
By 12:00pm Thursday before trial, counsel must deliver two hard copies to courtroom and email a copy to court clerk.
Instructions shall include separate indexes for "Preliminary Jury Instructions" and "Final Jury Instructions," and list the JI number and title.
By the first day of trial, counsel must deliver two hard copies to the court and email a copy to the judicial attorney.
Shall be stipulated to by parties in advance.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Parties may e-file an order the same day or after it is approved as to form and signed by all parties under the seven-day rule.
Parties may e-file order on the same day or when order is approved as to form and signed by all parties under 7 day rule. MCR 2.602(B).
Page 1 | Judges Copies
The court uses e-filing, and filers are directed to register through the stated portal.
The Third Circuit Court is an e-filing Court. Register for e-filing here: https://mifile.courts.michigan.gov/register
Page 1 | Self-represented litigants
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions in limine must be filed at least three weeks before trial and will be heard on a Friday before trial.
Motions in limine (when heard): Must be filed at least three weeks before trial, and will be heard on any Friday prior to trial.
Page 1 | Trial — Motions in limine
Stipulated orders opting out of case evaluation must be filed within 120 days of the first responsive pleading.
Stipulated orders must be filed w/in 120 days from the 1st responsive pleading pursuant to MCR 2.403 (A)(3).
Page 1 | Opting out of Case Evaluation
Summary disposition motions must be e-filed within 28 days after notice of trial and at least 21 days before the hearing unless otherwise ordered.
Time: Must be e-filed no later than 28 days after notice of trial and a minimum of 21 days before the hearing date unless otherwise ordered.
Page 1 | Summary Disposition Motions
Facilitation must be completed by the date case evaluation was set unless a motion for extension is filed.
The facilitation must be completed by date case evaluation was set unless a motion for extension was filed.
Page 1 | Opting out of Case Evaluation
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The courtroom must receive judge’s copies at least five business days before the hearing.
The Courtroom MUST receive all judge’s copies at least FIVE business days prior to hearing.
Page 1 | Summary Disposition Motions — Judge's Copies
Parties must file a judge’s copy of every motion and response.
Parties must file JUDGE’S COPY of all motions and responses. MCR 2.119(A)(2).
Page 1 | Judges Copies
The court requests courtesy copies of all motions and responses in appeals.
The Court requests a courtesy copy of all motions and responses.
Page 1 | Appeals — Additional requirements
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties who miss the court-rule time limits for opting out of case evaluation must file a motion.
Parties must file a motion if they are beyond the time limits put forth in the court rule.
Page 1 | Opting out of Case Evaluation
Disagreements about jury instructions must be submitted in a motion before trial.
Any disagreements regarding JI shall be submitted in a motion before trial.
Page 1 | Trial — Joint Jury Instructions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
To adjourn a summary disposition motion, the moving party must request a new date from the Judicial Attorney, then e-file a re-notice; adjournment praecipes must not be submitted.
Moving party must contact the Judicial Attorney to request new date. E-file a Re-Notice of hearing after new hearing date is given by judicial attorney. Do not submit adjournment praecipes.
Page 1 | Adjournment of Motion for Summary Disposition
Further settlement-conference adjournments require a motion.
A motion is required for further adjournments.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure — Adjournment of settlement conference
Settlement-conference adjournments must be requested from the court clerk; if granted, counsel must e-file a stipulated order with the new date.
Adjournment must be requested from court clerk. If granted then a stipulated order with new date must be e-filed by counsel.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure — Adjournment of settlement conference
Attorneys may stipulate to one adjournment from Track I to Track II; further adjournments require a motion.
Attorneys may stipulate to adjournment from Track I to Track II, but for additional adjournments a motion must be filed.
Page 1 | Status Conference — Adjournment of scheduling orders
Attorneys may stipulate to adjourn the first settlement conference by up to 90 days if they are willing to facilitate.
Attorneys may stipulate to adjourn the first Settlement Conference up to 90 days provided they are willing to facilitate.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure — Adjournment of settlement conference
Without a stipulation, a settlement conference may be adjourned one to two weeks, only on a Wednesday or Thursday morning.
If no stipulation, then may adjourn one to two weeks only on Wednesday or Thursday mornings.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference Procedure — Adjournment of settlement conference
To request an appeal adjournment, call the court and submit the parties’ stipulation.
Adjournment policy: Call court and submit stipulation of parties.
Page 1 | Appeals — Adjournment policy