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.
- A status or settlement conference adjournment must be requested by stipulation identifying the reason and existing and new dates, after obtaining a new date from the clerk or secretary.
- +2 more
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements3 rules
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Have proposed exhibits marked by the court reporter.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The parties must provide a joint statement succinctly describing the case and limiting it to no more than 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
At the trial judge's discretion, photocopies of completed SJIs are acceptable if all blanks are completed and alternatives selected, and each instruction must appear on a separate sheet.
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
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Any case or statute cited in the trial brief must be accompanied by a photocopy.
If cases or statutes are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Any stipulations offered for placement on the trial record must be prepared in writing.
Prepare stipulations in writing, if any, to be placed on the record.
Document Type
Trial Stipulations
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
An alternative-service request must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit documenting 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.
Document Type
Alternative Service Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A request to extend service of summons must include a motion and proposed order and 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.
Document Type
Summons Extension Request
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
For a jury trial, provide the Court and all counsel with completed, typed jury instructions and a proposed jury verdict form, to the extent possible.
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).
Document Type
Jury Instructions And Verdict Form
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
In jury cases, counsel must submit proposed special juror questions in writing, while the court reserves control of voir dire.
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.
Document Type
Special Jury Questions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
If the parties have not resolved deposition objections, they must contact the judge's secretary to obtain a hearing date.
If the parties have not resolved the objections, the parties shall contact the Judge's secretary for a hearing date regarding the deposition objections.
Document Type
Deposition Objection Hearing Request
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
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.
Summary: Each witness list must identify actual and probable witnesses, indicate whether each will appear in person or by deposition, and identify a medical expert's hospital, office, and specialty.
Document Type
Witness List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
However, in Judge Servitto’s court in which video is utilized, the attorneys are responsible for marking exhibits and preparing an exhibit log.
Summary: When Judge Servitto’s court uses video, attorneys—not the court reporter—must mark proposed exhibits and prepare an exhibit log.
Document Type
Exhibit Log
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Counsel shall have stipulations for entry or stated reasons for objections.
Summary: Counsel must provide a stipulation for entry for each proposed exhibit or state reasons for objecting to its admission.
Document Type
Exhibit Stipulations And Objections
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Submit a Trial Brief containing a brief statement of facts, issues, theory of case and memorandum of law.
Summary: On the trial date, parties must submit a trial brief containing a brief statement of facts, the issues, the theory of the case, and a memorandum of law.
Document Type
Trial Brief
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — E-Filing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Extending Summons (Second Summons)
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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
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.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Extending Summons (Second Summons)
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments
A status or settlement conference adjournment must be requested by stipulation identifying the reason and existing and new dates, after obtaining 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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments
Criminal-matter adjournment requests should be directed to the clerk or secretary.
Criminal matters – Contact Clerk or Secretary.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Policies and Procedures — Adjournments