Skip to main content

Michigan Court Rules – 2026

The Michigan Court Rules govern practice and procedure in all courts established by the Michigan Constitution and laws of the State of Michigan. Organized in nine chapters covering general provisions, civil procedure, special proceedings, district court, probate, criminal procedure, appellate rules, administrative rules, and professional disciplinary proceedings.

Browse all 625 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Parts

Chapter 1: General Provisions Chapter 2: Civil Procedure Chapter 3: Special Proceedings and Actions Chapter 4: District Court Chapter 5: Probate Court Chapter 6: Criminal Procedure Chapter 7: Appellate Rules Chapter 8: Administrative Rules of Court Chapter 9: Professional Disciplinary Proceedings
Chapter 1: General Provisions 13 rules Rules 1.101–1.201 · 2 sections Chapter 2: Civil Procedure 103 rules Rules 2.001–2.630 · 7 sections Chapter 3: Special Proceedings and Actions 169 rules Rules 3.001–3.993 · 10 sections Chapter 4: District Court 13 rules Rules 4.001–4.401 · 5 sections Chapter 5: Probate Court 86 rules Rules 5.001–5.900 · 10 sections Chapter 6: Criminal Procedure 80 rules Rules 6.001–6.938 · 8 sections Chapter 7: Appellate Rules 58 rules Rules 7.101–7.319 · 3 sections Chapter 8: Administrative Rules of Court 29 rules Rules 8.101–8.302 · 3 sections Chapter 9: Professional Disciplinary Proceedings 74 rules Rules 9.101–9.317 · 3 sections

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Michigan Court Rules cover and when do they apply?
The Michigan Court Rules (MCR) govern how legal cases are handled in all Michigan state courts, including circuit courts, district courts, probate courts, and the appellate courts. They set the procedures that lawyers and parties must follow at every stage of a case, from filing the first document to appealing a final decision. If you are involved in any civil, criminal, probate, or administrative matter in a Michigan state court, these rules apply to your case.
How are the Michigan Court Rules different from federal court rules?
The MCR apply only in Michigan state courts and are separate from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which govern cases filed in U.S. district courts. If your case involves a federal question or is filed in a federal courthouse, the federal rules control instead. Some procedures are similar between the two systems, but deadlines, forms, and specific requirements can differ significantly, so it matters a great deal which court your case is in.
How are the Michigan Court Rules organized, and where can I find rules on a specific topic?
The MCR are divided into nine chapters, each covering a broad area of court practice: general provisions, civil procedure, special proceedings, district court, probate, criminal procedure, appellate rules, administrative rules, and professional disciplinary proceedings. If you are looking for rules about a specific topic, starting with the chapter that matches your court or type of case is a good way to narrow things down. The full set spans 623 rules, so using the chapter structure or a keyword search will save you time.