Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
Pleadings
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- A request to excuse a party from a final settlement conference must be made 48 hours before the conference.
- Any criminal adjournment after the second must be stipulated by the APA and the attorney of record at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
All blank spaces in jury instructions must be completed, one alternative must be selected when applicable, unused alternatives must be deleted, and each instruction must appear on a separate sheet.
All blank spaces must be completed and if there are any alternatives in the instructions, one must be selected, and the unused option(s) deleted. Each instruction must be on a separate sheet.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The parties must provide a joint succinct statement explaining what the case is about, limited to one paragraph.
Joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Electronically filed motions in limine must be numbered.
E-filed motions in limine must be numbered.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Electronically filed exhibits must be appropriately tabbed.
E-filed exhibits must be appropriately tabbed.
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
The mediator must submit a report to the Court within seven days after mediation that states the completion date, participants, settlement status, and whether further ADR proceedings are planned.
Within seven (7) days of completion of mediation, the mediator shall submit a report to the Court stating the date of completion of the process, who participated in the mediation, whether a settlement was reached, and whether further ADR proceedings are contemplated.
Document Type
Mediation Report
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
When mediation settles the case, the attorneys must submit an order of dismissal within 21 days after the settlement date.
If the case is settled through mediation, the attorneys shall submit an order of dismissal within twenty-one (21) days of the date the settlement was reached.
Document Type
Order Of Dismissal
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Deposition objections and supporting legal argument must be submitted to the judge and opposing counsel at least fourteen days before trial, with responses due seven 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.
Document Type
Deposition Objections
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Fourteen days before trial, counsel must supply sufficient copies of witness lists identifying actual or probable witnesses, their appearance method, and specified information 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.
Document Type
Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
In a criminal jury trial, counsel must prepare fifteen copies of the Chapter 2 M Crim JI containing all elements of the crime as required by M Crim JI 2.3(3).
In a criminal trial, counsel must prepare 15 copies of the Chapter 2 M Crim JI, including all the elements of the crime as required by M Crim JI 2.3(3).
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
All stipulations must be in writing and placed on the record.
All stipulations shall be in writing and placed on the record.
Document Type
Stipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A trial brief containing a statement of facts, issues, theory of the case, and memorandum of law must be submitted at least seven days before trial.
At Least 7 Days Prior to Trial, SUBMIT A TRIAL BRIEF CONTAINING A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FACTS, ISSUES, THEORY OF CASE AND MEMORANDUM OF LAW.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
In a civil jury trial, counsel must prepare nine copies of the Chapter 2 M Civ JI containing the specified claim, claim-element, legal-term, presumption, and burden-of-proof information required by M Civ JI 2.02.
In a civil case, counsel must prepare 9 copies of the Chapter 2 M Civ JI, including the nature of plaintiff’s claim and the elements of all civil claims (including definitions of legal terms), legal presumptions, and burdens of proof as required by M Civ JI 2.02.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
In jury cases, counsel must submit in writing any special questions they want asked of prospective jurors.
In jury cases, submit to the Court in writing special jury questions that counsel desire to be asked of the prospective jurors.
Document Type
Special Jury Questions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The court issues a Trial Procedure Order when a case is scheduled for trial.
The Court's trial procedures are contained in its Trial Procedure Order which is issued when a case is scheduled for Trial.
Document Type
Trial Procedure Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Counsel must prepare a stipulated order identifying the adjournment number in its title.
Counsel to prepare a stipulated order that states the number of the adjournment in the title.
Document Type
Stipulated Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
A request for facilitative mediation may be made by stipulated order, and the required form is the Order Regarding Facilitative Mediation.
Requests to submit a case to facilitative mediation under MCR 2.410 and 2.411 may be made by stipulation and order. This order must be used: Order Regarding Facilitative Mediation.
Document Type
Order Regarding Facilitative Mediation
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
For jury trials, counsel should, to the extent possible, provide the Court and all counsel completed, typed jury instructions and a proposed jury verdict form.
For jury trials, to the extent possible, have completed, typed jury instructions, including a proposed jury verdict form for the Court and all counsel (not just by jury instruction number).
Document Type
Jury Instructions
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.Mandatory?
In NON-JURY cases, the Trial Brief shall include proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Machine summary and details
Summary: In non-jury cases, the trial brief must include proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If cases or statutes are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.
Summary: A photocopy of every cited case or statute must be attached.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
If the parties have not resolved the objections, the parties shall contact the Judge's secretary for a hearing date regarding the deposition objections.
Summary: If deposition objections remain unresolved, the parties must contact the judge's secretary to obtain a hearing date.
Document Type
Hearing Request
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responses must be filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days before the trial date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Witness lists must be supplied to the court and all counsel fourteen days before trial.
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
The trial brief must be submitted at least seven days before trial.
At Least 7 Days Prior to Trial, SUBMIT A TRIAL BRIEF CONTAINING A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FACTS, ISSUES, THEORY OF CASE AND MEMORANDUM OF LAW.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
In limine and trial motions must be scheduled to permit responses to be filed with the judge and opposing counsel at least seven days before the scheduled date.
All motions in limine and trial motions are to be scheduled to allow for responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel no less than 7 days before set date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Deposition objections must be submitted to the judge and opposing counsel no later than fourteen 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Deposition objections filed on the day of trial will not be entertained absent a showing of good cause.
Objections to depositions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Motions submitted on the day of trial will not be entertained absent a showing of good cause.
Motions on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If a settlement is resolved and dismissal is entered before a settlement conference, appearances are unnecessary, but attorneys must notify the court of settlement before the scheduled conference.
If a matter is resolved and an order of dismissal is entered before the conference date, the attorneys and parties need not appear for the conference. Attorneys must notify court of settlement prior to a scheduled settlement conference.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Civil cases
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 $150.00 adjournment fee prior to submitting the order for entry.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A judge’s copy of any pleading filed while a civil trial is in progress is required.
**NOTE: A JUDGE’S COPY IS REQUIRED FOR ANY PLEADINGS FILED WHILE THE TRIAL IS IN PROGRESS**
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Civil cases
Whenever practicable, copies of trial exhibits must be furnished to the court and opposing counsel.
Whenever practicable, copies of exhibits shall be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel for use during the trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Any criminal adjournment after the second must be stipulated by the APA and the attorney of record at least 48 hours before the hearing.
CRIMINAL ADJOURNMENTS: Any adjournment after the second must be stipulated to between the APA and the attorney of record 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing. Please contact the clerk for further questions regarding this procedure.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal cases
Facilitation generally must occur within 60 days unless good cause supports an extension.
The Court will generally require that facilitation occur within 60 days, unless good cause is shown for an extension.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Facilitative mediation
For the first request, the court permits a stipulated extension of up to 60 days for dates in the Discovery and Case Evaluation Order.
For the first request, Judge Sabaugh will permit up to a 60 day extension of the dates set forth in the Discovery and Case Evaluation Order by stipulation of the parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling orders
Any request after the first to extend scheduling-order dates must be made by motion and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Any Subsequent requests to extend the scheduling order dates must be made by motion and only will be granted upon a showing of good cause.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling orders
A request to excuse a party from a final settlement conference must be made 48 hours before the conference.
A request to excuse a party's attendance must be requested 48 hours before the conference date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Civil cases
Chambers Communication Rules
A criminal hearing requiring an interpreter must be held in person.
**Note: Any criminal hearing that requires an interpreter must be in person.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal cases
Civil hearings are conducted remotely by Zoom unless the schedule states otherwise.
All civil hearings, unless otherwise noted below, will be remote by Zoom.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Civil cases