REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961 (EXCERPT)
Act 236 of 1961
Chapter 64
COURT OF CLAIMS


600.6401 Court of claims; short title.

Sec. 6401.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "the court of claims act".


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6404 Court of claims; assignment; jurisdiction; pending matters; transfer; disability, disqualification, or inability of judge to attend to matter; death of judge; term; assignment of judge to serve remainder of term; selection of chief judge.

Sec. 6404.

    (1) The court of claims consists of 4 court of appeals judges from at least 2 court of appeals districts assigned by the supreme court. A court of appeals judge while sitting as a judge of the court of claims may exercise the jurisdiction of the court of claims as provided by law.
    (2) All matters pending in the court of claims as of the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection shall be transferred to the clerk of the court of appeals, acting as the clerk of the court of claims, for assignment to a court of appeals judge sitting as a court of claims judge pursuant to section 6410. The transfer shall be effective on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection.
    (3) Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, any matter within the jurisdiction of the court of claims described in section 6419(1) pending or later filed in any court must, upon notice of the state or a department or officer of the state, be transferred to the court of claims described in subsection (1). The transfer shall be effective upon the filing of the transfer notice. The state or a department or officer of this state shall file a copy of the transfer notice with the clerk of the court of appeals, who shall act as the clerk of the court of claims, for assignment to a court of appeals judge sitting as a court of claims judge pursuant to section 6410.
    (4) If a judge assigned to serve on the court of claims is disabled, disqualified, or otherwise unable to attend to a matter, another judge assigned to sit as a judge of the court of claims may continue, hear, determine, and sign orders and other documents in the matter.
    (5) In case a court of appeals judge designated to sit as the judge of the court of claims dies before signing a judgment and after filing a finding of fact or rendering an opinion upon proof submitted and argument of counsel disposing of all or part of the issues in the case involved, a successor as judge of the court of claims may proceed with that action in a manner consistent with the finding or opinion and the judge is given the same powers as if the finding of fact had been made or the opinion had been rendered by the successor judge.
    (6) A judge assigned as a judge of the court of claims shall be assigned for a term of 2 years and may be reassigned at the expiration of that term.
    (7) The term of a judge of the court of claims expires on May 1 of each odd-numbered year.
    (8) When a judge who is sitting as a judge of the court of claims leaves office or is otherwise unable to serve as a judge of the court of claims, the supreme court may assign a court of appeals judge to serve for the remainder of the judge's term on the court of claims.
    (9) The supreme court shall select a chief judge of the court of claims from among the court of appeals judges assigned to the court of claims.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 145, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1974 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 164, Eff. Jan. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Sections 2 to 7 of Act 145 of 1974 provide:“Effective date of changes.“Section 2. The changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1975.“Election of additional circuit and district judges; assumption of office; appearance of new judgeships on ballot; nominating petitions; incumbent judges.“Section 3. The additional circuit and district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected in 1974 and shall assume office on January 1, 1975. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective judicial circuits and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing his nominating petitions, whether he is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act must bear signatures affixed thereto after the effective date of this act. Any incumbent circuit or district judge whose term is expiring January 1, 1975, and who is seeking election to a judicial office of the same court in 1974 is entitled to the designation of his office even if he is a candidate for a new office of the same court authorized by this amendatory act.“Nominating petitions.“Section 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nominating petitions for the offices added by this 1974 amendatory act shall contain not less than 1/2 of 1% nor more than 2% of the total number of votes cast in that judicial circuit for secretary of state at the last preceding general November election in which a secretary of state was elected.“Nomination, election, and terms of candidates for new circuit judgeships.“Section 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972, the 10 candidates for the new circuit judgeships in the third judicial circuit created by Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972 who receive the highest votes in the August primary election shall be deemed nominated for the 5 new judgeships created thereby. Of the additional judgeships so created for the third judicial circuit the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1974 general election shall be elected for a term of 10 years, the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 8 years, and the candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years.“Terms of additional circuit judges.“Section 6. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years except that the additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the forty-fourth judicial circuit shall be elected for a term of 8 years.“Terms of additional district judges in certain districts.“Section 7. In districts in which the district court is already functioning on the effective date of this amendatory act, the additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years, except that the additional district judges authorized in the first election division of the ninth district and in the fifteenth district shall be elected for a term of 8 years and that the additional district judge authorized in the newly divided forty-first-a district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.”Sections 2 to 7 of Act 164 of 1978 provide:“Sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 effective January 1, 1979; effective date of changes in composition of judicial circuits or district court districts.“Section 2. Sections 6404, 6410, and 6413 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, shall not take effect until January 1, 1979. Except as otherwise provided in sections 524, 527, and 534 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.524, 600.527, and 600.534 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, the changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1979.“Election to fill new circuit and district judgeships; term.“Section 3. Except as otherwise provided in sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, the new circuit and district judgeships created by this amendatory act shall be filled by election pursuant to Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1954, as amended, being sections 168.1 to 168.992 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for a term of 6 years commencing January 1, 1979.“Ballot; nominating petition; affidavit of candidacy.“Section 4. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective circuit and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing nominating petitions, whether the candidate is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act shall bear signatures affixed to the petition after the effective date of this act. An elected incumbent circuit judge in a circuit in which the number of circuit judges has been increased by this amendatory act may become a candidate in the primary election for that office for any term for which a circuit judge is to be elected at the 1978 general election in that circuit by filing an affidavit of candidacy with the secretary of state not later than 4 days after the effective date of this amendatory act.“Terms of judges.“Section 5. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the third judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 3 additional judgeships created for the sixth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the thirtieth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act in the eighth, seventeenth, and twenty-ninth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 8 years. The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the eighteenth, thirty-first, thirty-eighth, and fortieth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 10 years. The additional district judges authorized in the thirty-fifth and forty-first-a districts and in the first division of the fifty-sixth district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.“Election of additional judges; assumption and term of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act in the fifty-fourth-b district and the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 4 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Residence of certain circuit judges; effect.“Section 7. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of the county of Cheboygan on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the thirty-third judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the twenty-sixth judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 8 years. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of 1 of the counties of Alpena, Montmorency, or Presque Isle on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”Section 1 of Act 128 of 1980 provides:“Enacting sections amended; revised judicature act of 1961.“Section 1. Enacting sections 6 and 7 of Act No. 164 of the Public Acts of 1978 are amended to read as follows:“Election of additional judges; assumption and terms of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judge authorized by this amendatory act in the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Twenty-sixth judicial circuit; vacancy; residence of candidates; eligibility of electors; failure of Cheboygan county to approve creation of fifty-third judicial circuit and circuit judgeship.“Section 7. (1) If a vacancy occurs in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit between the effective date of this section, as amended, and June 3, 1980, candidates to fill the unexpired portion of the term shall be residents of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit as that circuit will be constituted on January 1, 1981, pursuant to this act. Electors of the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle shall be eligible to vote in the primary and general elections of 1980 to fill that vacancy and electors of those counties are qualified to sign and circulate nominating petitions for candidates to fill the vacancy.“(2) If the county of Cheboygan does not approve the creation of the fifty-third judicial circuit and the circuit judgeship proposed for it pursuant to House Bill No. 5553 of the 1980 regular session of the legislature, the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”





600.6407 Sessions; space and equipment.

Sec. 6407.

    The court shall hold at least 4 sessions in each year. Sessions of the court of claims may be held in the various court of appeals districts in the state as the supreme court administrator may determine. The department of technology, management, and budget shall furnish the court with suitable space and equipment.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 145, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1974 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Sections 2 to 7 of Act 145 of 1974 provide:“Effective date of changes.“Section 2. The changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1975.“Election of additional circuit and district judges; assumption of office; appearance of new judgeships on ballot; nominating petitions; incumbent judges.“Section 3. The additional circuit and district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected in 1974 and shall assume office on January 1, 1975. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective judicial circuits and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing his nominating petitions, whether he is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act must bear signatures affixed thereto after the effective date of this act. Any incumbent circuit or district judge whose term is expiring January 1, 1975, and who is seeking election to a judicial office of the same court in 1974 is entitled to the designation of his office even if he is a candidate for a new office of the same court authorized by this amendatory act.“Nominating petitions.“Section 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nominating petitions for the offices added by this 1974 amendatory act shall contain not less than 1/2 of 1% nor more than 2% of the total number of votes cast in that judicial circuit for secretary of state at the last preceding general November election in which a secretary of state was elected.“Nomination, election, and terms of candidates for new circuit judgeships.“Section 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972, the 10 candidates for the new circuit judgeships in the third judicial circuit created by Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972 who receive the highest votes in the August primary election shall be deemed nominated for the 5 new judgeships created thereby. Of the additional judgeships so created for the third judicial circuit the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1974 general election shall be elected for a term of 10 years, the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 8 years, and the candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years.“Terms of additional circuit judges.“Section 6. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years except that the additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the forty-fourth judicial circuit shall be elected for a term of 8 years.“Terms of additional district judges in certain districts.“Section 7. In districts in which the district court is already functioning on the effective date of this amendatory act, the additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years, except that the additional district judges authorized in the first election division of the ninth district and in the fifteenth district shall be elected for a term of 8 years and that the additional district judge authorized in the newly divided forty-first-a district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.”





600.6410 Court of appeals clerk as clerk of court of claims; filing cause of action; assignment of judge by blind draw; copies of records, proceedings, and testimony; fees of clerk, reporter, or recorder; no charge to state; service of process.

Sec. 6410.

    (1) The clerk of the court of appeals shall serve as the clerk of the court of claims.
    (2) A plaintiff may file a cause of action in the court of claims in any court of appeals district.
    (3) The clerk of the court of claims shall, by blind draw, assign a cause of action filed in the court of claims to a court of appeals judge sitting as a court of claims judge.
    (4) For making copies of records, proceedings, and testimony and furnishing the same at the request of the claimant, or any other person, the clerk of the court of claims or any reporter or recorder serving in the court of claims shall be entitled, in addition to salary, to the same fees as are by law provided for court reporters or recorders in the circuit court. No charge shall be made against the state for services rendered for furnishing copies of records, proceedings, or testimony or other papers to the attorney general.
    (5) Process issued by the court may be served by any member of the Michigan state police as well as any other officer or person authorized to serve process issued out of the circuit court.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 164, Eff. Jan. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1986, Act 308, Eff. Jan. 1, 1987 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Sections 2 to 7 of Act 164 of 1978 provide:“Sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 effective January 1, 1979; effective date of changes in composition of judicial circuits or district court districts.“Section 2. Sections 6404, 6410, and 6413 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, shall not take effect until January 1, 1979. Except as otherwise provided in sections 524, 527, and 534 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.524, 600.527, and 600.534 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, the changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1979.“Election to fill new circuit and district judgeships; term.“Section 3. Except as otherwise provided in sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, the new circuit and district judgeships created by this amendatory act shall be filled by election pursuant to Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1954, as amended, being sections 168.1 to 168.992 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for a term of 6 years commencing January 1, 1979.“Ballot; nominating petition; affidavit of candidacy.“Section 4. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective circuit and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing nominating petitions, whether the candidate is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act shall bear signatures affixed to the petition after the effective date of this act. An elected incumbent circuit judge in a circuit in which the number of circuit judges has been increased by this amendatory act may become a candidate in the primary election for that office for any term for which a circuit judge is to be elected at the 1978 general election in that circuit by filing an affidavit of candidacy with the secretary of state not later than 4 days after the effective date of this amendatory act.“Terms of judges.“Section 5. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the third judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 3 additional judgeships created for the sixth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the thirtieth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act in the eighth, seventeenth, and twenty-ninth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 8 years. The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the eighteenth, thirty-first, thirty-eighth, and fortieth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 10 years. The additional district judges authorized in the thirty-fifth and forty-first-a districts and in the first division of the fifty-sixth district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.“Election of additional judges; assumption and term of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act in the fifty-fourth-b district and the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 4 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Residence of certain circuit judges; effect.“Section 7. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of the county of Cheboygan on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the thirty-third judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the twenty-sixth judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 8 years. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of 1 of the counties of Alpena, Montmorency, or Presque Isle on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”Section 1 of Act 128 of 1980 provides:“Enacting sections amended; revised judicature act of 1961.“Section 1. Enacting sections 6 and 7 of Act No. 164 of the Public Acts of 1978 are amended to read as follows:“Election of additional judges; assumption and terms of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judge authorized by this amendatory act in the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Twenty-sixth judicial circuit; vacancy; residence of candidates; eligibility of electors; failure of Cheboygan county to approve creation of fifty-third judicial circuit and circuit judgeship.“Section 7. (1) If a vacancy occurs in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit between the effective date of this section, as amended, and June 3, 1980, candidates to fill the unexpired portion of the term shall be residents of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit as that circuit will be constituted on January 1, 1981, pursuant to this act. Electors of the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle shall be eligible to vote in the primary and general elections of 1980 to fill that vacancy and electors of those counties are qualified to sign and circulate nominating petitions for candidates to fill the vacancy.“(2) If the county of Cheboygan does not approve the creation of the fifty-third judicial circuit and the circuit judgeship proposed for it pursuant to House Bill No. 5553 of the 1980 regular session of the legislature, the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”





600.6413 Court of claims in court of appeals district.

Sec. 6413.

    The court of claims shall sit in the court of appeals district where a court of appeals judge serving as a judge of the court of claims sits, unless otherwise determined by the chief judge of the court of claims.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 164, Eff. Jan. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Sections 2 to 7 of Act 164 of 1978 provide:“Sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 effective January 1, 1979; effective date of changes in composition of judicial circuits or district court districts.“Section 2. Sections 6404, 6410, and 6413 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.6404, 600.6410, and 600.6413 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, shall not take effect until January 1, 1979. Except as otherwise provided in sections 524, 527, and 534 of Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, as amended by this amendatory act, being sections 600.524, 600.527, and 600.534 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, the changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1979.“Election to fill new circuit and district judgeships; term.“Section 3. Except as otherwise provided in sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, the new circuit and district judgeships created by this amendatory act shall be filled by election pursuant to Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1954, as amended, being sections 168.1 to 168.992 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for a term of 6 years commencing January 1, 1979.“Ballot; nominating petition; affidavit of candidacy.“Section 4. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective circuit and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing nominating petitions, whether the candidate is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act shall bear signatures affixed to the petition after the effective date of this act. An elected incumbent circuit judge in a circuit in which the number of circuit judges has been increased by this amendatory act may become a candidate in the primary election for that office for any term for which a circuit judge is to be elected at the 1978 general election in that circuit by filing an affidavit of candidacy with the secretary of state not later than 4 days after the effective date of this amendatory act.“Terms of judges.“Section 5. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the third judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 3 additional judgeships created for the sixth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. Of the 2 additional judgeships created for the thirtieth judicial circuit, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1978 general election shall be elected for a term of 8 years and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act in the eighth, seventeenth, and twenty-ninth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 8 years. The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the eighteenth, thirty-first, thirty-eighth, and fortieth judicial circuits shall be elected for a term of 10 years. The additional district judges authorized in the thirty-fifth and forty-first-a districts and in the first division of the fifty-sixth district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.“Election of additional judges; assumption and term of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act in the fifty-fourth-b district and the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 4 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Residence of certain circuit judges; effect.“Section 7. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of the county of Cheboygan on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the thirty-third judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the twenty-sixth judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 8 years. If the circuit judge elected in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1978 is a resident of 1 of the counties of Alpena, Montmorency, or Presque Isle on June 6, 1978, that person shall continue during the remainder of his or her term after January 1, 1981 as a judge of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit and the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”Section 1 of Act 128 of 1980 provides:“Enacting sections amended; revised judicature act of 1961.“Section 1. Enacting sections 6 and 7 of Act No. 164 of the Public Acts of 1978 are amended to read as follows:“Election of additional judges; assumption and terms of office.“Section 6. (1) The additional district judge authorized by this amendatory act in the first division of the fifty-second district shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“(2) The additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the fourteenth judicial circuit shall be elected in 1980 and shall assume office on January 1, 1981, for a term of 8 years.“Twenty-sixth judicial circuit; vacancy; residence of candidates; eligibility of electors; failure of Cheboygan county to approve creation of fifty-third judicial circuit and circuit judgeship.“Section 7. (1) If a vacancy occurs in the twenty-sixth judicial circuit between the effective date of this section, as amended, and June 3, 1980, candidates to fill the unexpired portion of the term shall be residents of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit as that circuit will be constituted on January 1, 1981, pursuant to this act. Electors of the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle shall be eligible to vote in the primary and general elections of 1980 to fill that vacancy and electors of those counties are qualified to sign and circulate nominating petitions for candidates to fill the vacancy.“(2) If the county of Cheboygan does not approve the creation of the fifty-third judicial circuit and the circuit judgeship proposed for it pursuant to House Bill No. 5553 of the 1980 regular session of the legislature, the second circuit judgeship authorized by law for the thirty-third judicial circuit shall be filled by election in 1980 for a term of 6 years.”





600.6416 Court of claims; representation of state by attorney general or assistants.

Sec. 6416.

     The attorney general, or his assistants, shall appear for and represent the interests of the state in all matters before the court.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6419 Court of claims; exclusive jurisdiction; exceptions; claims less than $1,000.00; powers and jurisdiction; counterclaims; res judicata; setoff, recoupment, or cross declaration; writs of execution or garnishment; judgment as final; no jurisdiction of claim for compensation under MCL 418.101 to 418.941 and MCL 419.101 to 419.104; jurisdiction of circuit court over certain actions and proceedings; "the state or any of its departments or officers" defined.

Sec. 6419.

    (1) Except as provided in sections 6421 and 6440, the jurisdiction of the court of claims, as conferred upon it by this chapter, is exclusive. All actions initiated in the court of claims shall be filed in the court of appeals. The state administrative board is vested with discretionary authority upon the advice of the attorney general to hear, consider, determine, and allow any claim against the state in an amount less than $1,000.00. Any claim so allowed by the state administrative board shall be paid in the same manner as judgments are paid under section 6458 upon certification of the allowed claim by the secretary of the state administrative board to the clerk of the court of claims. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the court has the following power and jurisdiction:
    (a) To hear and determine any claim or demand, statutory or constitutional, liquidated or unliquidated, ex contractu or ex delicto, or any demand for monetary, equitable, or declaratory relief or any demand for an extraordinary writ against the state or any of its departments or officers notwithstanding another law that confers jurisdiction of the case in the circuit court.
    (b) To hear and determine any claim or demand, statutory or constitutional, liquidated or unliquidated, ex contractu or ex delicto, or any demand for monetary, equitable, or declaratory relief or any demand for an extraordinary writ that may be pleaded by way of counterclaim on the part of the state or any of its departments or officers against any claimant who may bring an action in the court of claims. Any claim of the state or any of its departments or officers may be pleaded by way of counterclaim in any action brought against the state or any of its departments or officers.
    (c) To appoint and utilize a special master as the court considers necessary.
    (d) To hear and determine any action challenging the validity of a notice of transfer described in section 6404(2) or (3).
    (2) The judgment entered by the court of claims upon any claim described in subsection (1), either against or in favor of the state or any of its departments or officers, upon becoming final is res judicata of that claim. Upon the trial of any cause in which any demand is made by the state or any of its departments or officers against the claimant either by way of setoff, recoupment, or cross declaration, the court shall hear and determine each claim or demand, and if the court finds a balance due from the claimant to the state, the court shall render judgment in favor of the state for the balance. Writs of execution or garnishment may issue upon the judgment the same as from the circuit court of this state. The judgment entered by the court of claims upon any claim, either for or against the claimant, is final unless appealed from as provided in this chapter.
    (3) The court of claims does not have jurisdiction of any claim for compensation under either of the following:
    (a) The worker's disability compensation act of 1969, 1969 PA 317, MCL 418.101 to 418.941.
    (b) 1937 PA 329, MCL 419.101 to 419.104.
    (4) This chapter does not deprive the circuit court of this state of jurisdiction over actions brought by the taxpayer under the general sales tax act, 1933 PA 167, MCL 205.51 to 205.78, upon the circuit court, or proceedings to review findings as provided in the Michigan employment security act, 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, MCL 421.1 to 421.75, or any other similar tax or employment security proceedings expressly authorized by the statutes of this state.
    (5) This chapter does not deprive the circuit court of exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from the district court and administrative agencies as authorized by law.
    (6) This chapter does not deprive the circuit court of exclusive jurisdiction to issue, hear, and determine prerogative and remedial writs consistent with section 13 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963.
    (7) As used in this section, "the state or any of its departments or officers" means this state or any state governing, legislative, or judicial body, department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency of the state, or an officer, employee, or volunteer of this state or any governing, legislative, or judicial body, department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency of this state, acting, or who reasonably believes that he or she is acting, within the scope of his or her authority while engaged in or discharging a government function in the course of his or her duties.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013





600.6419a Repealed. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to court of claims concurrent jurisdiction of any demand for equitable and declaratory relief ancillary to claim filed pursuant to MCL 600.605.





600.6420 Delegation of authority for claim by state employee of $500.00 or less; certification of loss or damage.

Sec. 6420.

     The state administrative board may delegate the authority vested in it by section 6419(1) for any claim of $500.00 or less for damage or loss of personal property by a claimant who is an employee of the state, to the head of the department in which the claimant was employed. Payment of the claim shall be made upon the written certificate of the department head that the loss or damage occurred in the course of the claimant's employment, without fault on the part of the claimant and that the claimant has not otherwise been reimbursed for the loss.


History: Add. 1971, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Nov. 24, 1971 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984





600.6421 Trial by jury; joinder of cases; court of claims' jurisdiction; subsection (4) inapplicable to matters transferred to court of claims.

Sec. 6421.

    (1) Nothing in this chapter eliminates or creates any right a party may have to a trial by jury, including any right that existed before November 12, 2013. Nothing in this chapter deprives the circuit, district, or probate court of jurisdiction to hear and determine a claim for which there is a right to a trial by jury as otherwise provided by law, including a claim against an individual employee of this state for which there is a right to a trial by jury as otherwise provided by law. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a party has the right to a trial by jury and asserts that right as required by law, the claim may be heard and determined by a circuit, district, or probate court in the appropriate venue.
    (2) For declaratory or equitable relief or a demand for extraordinary writ sought by a party within the jurisdiction of the court of claims described in section 6419(1) and arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions with a matter asserted for which a party has the right to a trial by jury under subsection (1), unless joined as provided in subsection (3), the court of claims shall retain exclusive jurisdiction over the matter of declaratory or equitable relief or a demand for extraordinary writ until a final judgment has been entered, and the matter asserted for which a party has the right to a trial by jury under subsection (1) shall be stayed until final judgment on the matter of declaratory or equitable relief or a demand for extraordinary writ.
    (3) With the approval of all parties, any matter within the jurisdiction of the court of claims described in section 6419(1) may be joined for trial with cases arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions that are pending in any of the various trial courts of the state. A case in the court of claims that has been joined with the approval of all parties shall be tried and determined by the judge even though the trial court action with which it may be joined is tried to a jury under the supervision of the same trial judge.
    (4) Except as provided in subsection (5), the court of claims' jurisdiction in a matter within its jurisdiction as described in section 6419(1) and pending in any circuit, district, or probate court on November 12, 2013 is as follows:
    (a) If the matter is not transferred under section 6404(3), the jurisdiction of the court of claims is not exclusive and the circuit, district, or probate court may continue to exercise jurisdiction over that matter.
    (b) If the matter is transferred to the court of claims under section 6404(3), the court of claims has exclusive jurisdiction over the matter, subject to subsection (1).
    (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to matters transferred to the court of claims under section 6404(2).


History: Add. 1974, Act 145, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1974 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 205, Imd. Eff. Dec. 18, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Sections 2 to 7 of Act 145 of 1974 provide:“Effective date of changes.“Section 2. The changes in the composition of judicial circuits or district court districts as provided in this amendatory act shall become effective for judicial purposes on January 1, 1975.“Election of additional circuit and district judges; assumption of office; appearance of new judgeships on ballot; nominating petitions; incumbent judges.“Section 3. The additional circuit and district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected in 1974 and shall assume office on January 1, 1975. The new judgeships authorized by this amendatory act shall appear on the ballot separate and apart from other judicial offices on the ballot in the primary and general election in the respective judicial circuits and district court districts. If another judicial office of the same court is to be filled by election in the same circuit or district, a candidate for a new judgeship authorized in that circuit or district by this amendatory act shall indicate, at the time of filing his nominating petitions, whether he is filing for a new judgeship or for 1 of the other judicial offices of the same court to be filled by election in the applicable year. Petitions for a new judgeship created by this act must bear signatures affixed thereto after the effective date of this act. Any incumbent circuit or district judge whose term is expiring January 1, 1975, and who is seeking election to a judicial office of the same court in 1974 is entitled to the designation of his office even if he is a candidate for a new office of the same court authorized by this amendatory act.“Nominating petitions.“Section 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nominating petitions for the offices added by this 1974 amendatory act shall contain not less than 1/2 of 1% nor more than 2% of the total number of votes cast in that judicial circuit for secretary of state at the last preceding general November election in which a secretary of state was elected.“Nomination, election, and terms of candidates for new circuit judgeships.“Section 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972, the 10 candidates for the new circuit judgeships in the third judicial circuit created by Act No. 169 of the Public Acts of 1972 who receive the highest votes in the August primary election shall be deemed nominated for the 5 new judgeships created thereby. Of the additional judgeships so created for the third judicial circuit the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the 1974 general election shall be elected for a term of 10 years, the candidates receiving the second and third highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 8 years, and the candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of 6 years.“Terms of additional circuit judges.“Section 6. The additional circuit judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years except that the additional circuit judge authorized by this amendatory act in the forty-fourth judicial circuit shall be elected for a term of 8 years.“Terms of additional district judges in certain districts.“Section 7. In districts in which the district court is already functioning on the effective date of this amendatory act, the additional district judges authorized by this amendatory act shall be elected for a term of 6 years, except that the additional district judges authorized in the first election division of the ninth district and in the fifteenth district shall be elected for a term of 8 years and that the additional district judge authorized in the newly divided forty-first-a district shall be elected for a term of 4 years.”





600.6422 Court of claims; practice and procedure; fees.

Sec. 6422.

    (1) Practice and procedure in the court of claims shall be in accordance with the statutes and court rules prescribing the practice in the circuit courts of this state, except as otherwise provided in this section.
    (2) The supreme court may adopt special rules for the court of claims.
    (3) All fees in the court of claims shall be at the rate established by statute or court rule for actions in the circuit courts of this state and shall be paid to the clerk of the court of claims.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 164, Imd. Eff. Nov. 12, 2013





600.6425 Court of claims; depositions.

Sec. 6425.

     The statutes and rules governing the taking of depositions in suits in the circuit courts of this state shall govern in the court of claims, except that it is not sufficient that the witness resides more than 50 miles from the place of holding court to enable the deposition to be used for any purpose.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6428 Court of claims; witnesses; power to compel attendance.

Sec. 6428.

     The court of claims is hereby given the same power to subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers, records, documents and any other evidence and to punish for contempt as the circuit courts of this state now have or may hereafter have. The judge and clerk of said court may administer oaths and affirmations, and take acknowledgments of instruments in writing.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6431 Court of claims; notice of intention to file claim; requirements; time; verification; copies; applicability to claims for compensation under the wrongful imprisonment compensation act.

Sec. 6431.

    (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a claim may not be maintained against this state unless the claimant, within 1 year after the claim has accrued, files in the office of the clerk of the court of claims either a written claim or a written notice of intention to file a claim against this state or any of its departments, commissions, boards, institutions, arms, or agencies.
    (2) A claim or notice under subsection (1) must contain all of the following:
    (a) A statement of the time when and the place where the claim arose.
    (b) A detailed statement of the nature of the claim and of the items of damage alleged or claimed to have been sustained.
    (c) A designation of any department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency of the state involved in connection with the claim.
    (d) A signature and verification by the claimant before an officer authorized to administer oaths.
    (3) A claimant shall furnish copies of a claim or notice filed under subsection (1) to the clerk at the time of filing for transmittal to the attorney general and to each of the departments, commissions, boards, institutions, arms, or agencies of this state designated in the claim or notice.
    (4) For a claim against this state for property damage or personal injuries, the claimant shall file the claim or notice under subsection (1) with the clerk of the court of claims within 6 months after the event that gives rise to the claim.
    (5) This section does not apply to a claim for compensation under the wrongful imprisonment compensation act, 2016 PA 343, MCL 691.1751 to 691.1757.
    
    


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 42, Imd. Eff. Mar. 3, 2020
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 42 of 2020 provides:"Enacting section 1. Section 6431 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.6431, as amended by this amendatory act, applies retroactively to March 29, 2017."





600.6434 Pleadings; verification and service of complaint; copies.

Sec. 6434.

    (1) Except as provided in this section, the pleadings shall conform to the rules for pleadings in the circuit courts.
    (2) The complaint shall be verified. The pleadings of the state need not be verified.
    (3) The complaint shall be served upon any department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency of the state involved in the litigation, in the same manner as a complaint filed in the circuit court.
    (4) With each paper, including the original complaint filed by the claimant, 1 copy of each shall be furnished to the clerk who shall immediately transmit the copy to the attorney general.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984





600.6437 Court of claims; judgment on stipulated facts.

Sec. 6437.

     The court may order entry of judgment against the state or any of its departments, commissions, boards, institutions, arms or agencies based upon facts as stipulated by counsel after taking such proofs in support thereof as may be necessary to satisfy the court as to the accuracy of such facts and upon being satisfied that such judgment is in accordance with applicable law.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6440 Court of claims; remedy in federal court as bar to jurisdiction.

Sec. 6440.

     No claimant may be permitted to file claim in said court against the state nor any department, commission, board, institution, arm or agency thereof who has an adequate remedy upon his claim in the federal courts, but it is not necessary in the complaint filed to allege that claimant has no such adequate remedy, but that fact may be put in issue by the answer or motion filed by the state or the department, commission, board, institution, arm or agency thereof.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6443 Court of claims; trial by court without jury; new trial.

Sec. 6443.

     The case shall be heard by the judge without a jury. The court may grant a new trial upon the same terms and under the same conditions and for the same reasons as prevail in the case of the circuit courts of this state, in a case at law without a jury.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6446 Appeals to court of appeals; procedure; notice of entry of final order or judgment; time for appeal as of right.

Sec. 6446.

    (1) Appeals shall lie from the court of claims to the court of appeals in all respects as if the court of claims was a circuit court.
    (2) The procedure for the taking of appeals to the court of appeals from the court of claims shall be governed by the statutes and court rules governing the taking of appeals from a circuit court to the court of appeals in a case at law, without a jury.
    (3) The clerk of the court of claims shall immediately furnish the parties to every action with a notice of entry of any final order or judgment, and the time within which an appeal as of right may be taken shall be governed by the Michigan court rules.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984





600.6449 Costs; security for costs on appeal.

Sec. 6449.

    (1) If the state shall put in issue the right of claimant to recover, the court may allow costs to the prevailing party from the time of the joining of the issue. The costs, however, shall include only witness fees and officers' fees for service of subpoenas actually paid, and attorney fees in the same amount as is provided for trial of cases in circuit court.
    (2) Costs upon an appeal to the court of appeals shall be allowed in like amounts and for the same items as in a case appealed to the court of appeals from the circuit court.
    (3) In the case of costs allowed against a claimant, judgment shall be entered thereon and writs of execution or garnishment may issue as from the circuit court.
    (4) In the event of an appeal to the court of appeals by a claimant the judge may, upon motion by the attorney general, require security for costs from the claimant in connection with such an appeal.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984





600.6452 Court of claims; filing of claim; time; limitation of actions; right of attorney general to petition for administration of estate or appoint guardian of minor or disabled; applicability to claims for compensation under the wrongful imprisonment compensation act.

Sec. 6452.

    (1) Every claim against this state, cognizable by the court of claims, is forever barred unless the claim is filed with the clerk of the court or an action is commenced on the claim in federal court as authorized in section 6440, within 3 years after the claim first accrues.
    (2) Except as modified by this section, chapter 58, relative to the limitation of actions, also applies to the limitation under this section.
    (3) The attorney general has the same right as a creditor under the statutes of this state to petition for the appointment of a personal representative of the estate of a deceased person.
    (4) The attorney general has the same right as a superintendent of the poor under the statutes of this state to petition for the appointment of a guardian of the estate of a minor or any other individual under a disability.
    (5) This section does not apply to a claim for compensation under the wrongful imprisonment compensation act, 2016 PA 343, MCL 691.1751 to 691.1757.
    
    


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 44, Imd. Eff. Mar. 3, 2020
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 44 of 2020 provides:"Enacting section 1. Section 6452 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.6452, as amended by this amendatory act, applies retroactively to March 29, 2017."





600.6455 Interest rate on judgments; effect of settlement offer; rejection of offer.

Sec. 6455.

    (1) Interest shall not be allowed upon any claim up to the date of the rendition of judgment by the court, unless upon a contract expressly stipulating for the payment of interest. All judgments from the date of the rendition of the judgment shall carry interest at the rate of 12% per annum compounded annually, except that judgment upon a contract expressly providing for interest shall carry interest at the rate provided by the contract in which case provision to that effect shall be incorporated in the judgment entered. This subsection shall apply to any civil action based on tort filed on or after July 9, 1984 but before January 1, 1987 and any action pending before the court of claims on July 9, 1984. This subsection shall apply to any action, other than a civil action based on tort, filed on or after July 1, 1984 and any action pending before the court of claims on July 9, 1984.
    (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for complaints filed on or after January 1, 1987, interest on a money judgment recovered in a civil action shall be calculated from the date of filing the complaint at a rate of interest which is equal to 1% plus the average interest rate paid at auctions of 5-year United States treasury notes during the 6 months immediately preceding July 1 and January 1, as certified by the state treasurer, and compounded annually, pursuant to this section.
    (3) For complaints filed on or after October 1, 1986, interest shall not be allowed on future damages from the date of filing the complaint to the date of entry of the judgment.
    (4) If a bona fide, reasonable written offer of settlement in a civil action based on tort is made by the party against whom the judgment is subsequently rendered, the court shall order that interest shall not be allowed beyond the date the written offer of settlement which is made and rejected by the plaintiff, and is filed with the court.
    (5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), if a bona fide, reasonable written offer of settlement in a civil action based on tort is not made by the party against whom the judgment is subsequently rendered, or is made and that offer is not filed with the court, the court shall order that interest be calculated from the date of filing the complaint to the date of satisfaction of the judgment.
    (6) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), if a bona fide, reasonable written offer of settlement in a civil action based on tort is made by a plaintiff for whom the judgment is subsequently rendered and that offer is rejected and the offer is filed with the court, the court shall order that interest be calculated from the date of the rejection of the offer to the date of satisfaction of the judgment at a rate of interest equal to 2% plus the rate of interest computed under subsection (2).
    (7) An offer made pursuant to this section which is not accepted within 21 days after the offer is made shall be considered rejected. A rejection, under this subsection or otherwise, does not preclude a later offer by either party.
    (8) As used in this section:
    (a) "Bona fide, reasonable written offer of settlement" means:
    (i) With respect to an offer of settlement made by a defendant against whom judgment is subsequently rendered, an offer of settlement that is not less than 90% of the amount actually received by the plaintiff in the action through judgment.
    (ii) With respect to an offer of settlement made by a plaintiff, an offer of settlement that is not more than 110% of the amount actually received by the plaintiff in the action through judgment.
    (b) "Defendant" means a defendant, a counter-defendant, or a cross-defendant.
    (c) "Party" means a plaintiff or a defendant.
    (d) "Plaintiff" means a plaintiff, a counter-plaintiff, or a cross-plaintiff.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 212, Imd. Eff. July 9, 1984 ;-- Am. 1986, Act 178, Eff. Oct. 1, 1986





600.6458 Court of claims; judgment against state; payment.

Sec. 6458.

    (1) In rendering any judgment against the state, or any department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency, the court shall determine and specify in that judgment the department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency from whose appropriation that judgment shall be paid.
    (2) Upon any judgment against the state or any department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency becoming final, or upon allowance of any claim by the state administrative board and upon certification by the secretary of the state administrative board to the clerk of the court of claims, the clerk of the court shall certify to the state treasurer the fact that that judgment was entered or that the claim was allowed and the claim shall thereupon be paid from the unencumbered appropriation of the department, commission, board, institution, arm, or agency if the state treasurer determines the unencumbered appropriation is sufficient for the payment. In the event that funds are not available to pay the judgment or allowed claim, the state treasurer shall instruct the clerk of the court of claims to issue a voucher against an appropriation made by the legislature for the payment of judgment claims and allowed claims. In the event that funds are not available to pay the judgment or allowed claim, that fact, together with the name of the claimant, date of judgment, date of allowance of claim by the state administrative board and amount shall be reported to the legislature at its next session, and the judgment or allowed claim shall be paid as soon as money is available for that purpose. The clerk shall not certify any judgment to the state treasurer until the period for appeal from that judgment shall have expired, unless written stipulation between the attorney general and the claimant or his or her attorney, waiving any right of appeal or new trial, is filed with the clerk of the court.
    (3) The clerk shall approve vouchers under the direction of the court for the payment of the several judgments rendered by the court. All warrants issued in satisfaction of those judgments shall be transmitted to the clerk for distribution; and all warrants issued in satisfaction of claims allowed by the state administrative board shall be transmitted to the secretary of the state administrative board for distribution.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 429, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2002





600.6461 Court of claims; clerk's report to legislature; state treasurer and budget director.

Sec. 6461.

    (1) At the commencement of each session of the legislature and at such other times during the session as he or she may consider proper, the clerk of the court shall report to the legislature the claims upon which the court has finally acted, with a statement of the judgment rendered in each case.
    (2) The clerk shall submit a detailed statement of the amount of each claim allowed by the court to the state treasurer and the budget director.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 429, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2002





600.6464 Court of claims; judgment; discharge.

Sec. 6464.

     The payment of any amount due as found by the judgment of the court of claims, including interest and costs, shall operate as a discharge of such judgment.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6467 Court of claims; state agencies to furnish information upon request.

Sec. 6467.

     The court shall have power to call upon any officer, department, institution, board, arm or agency of the state government for any examination, information or papers pertinent to the issues involved in any case then pending before the court. No state employee shall receive any additional fees or compensation for rendering such services or appearing as a witness before the court upon behalf of the state.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6470 Court of claims; fraud in connection with claim; forfeiture.

Sec. 6470.

     Any person who corruptly practices, or attempts to practice, any fraud against the state of Michigan, in the proof, statement, establishment, or allowance of any claim or of any part of a claim, against the state, shall thereby forfeit the same to the state and it shall be the duty of the court of claims in such case to find specifically that such fraud was practiced, or attempted to be practiced, and thereupon to give judgment that such claim is forfeited to the state and that the claimant be forever barred from prosecuting the same.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963





600.6475 Court of claims; actions involving negligent operation of motor vehicles or aircraft; defense of governmental function.

Sec. 6475.

     In all actions brought in the court of claims against the state to recover damages resulting from the negligent operation by an officer, agent or employee of the state of a motor vehicle or an aircraft, other than a military aircraft, of which the state is owner, the fact that the state, in the ownership or operation of such motor vehicle or aircraft, was engaged in a governmental function shall not be a defense to such action. This act shall not be construed to impose upon the state a liability other or greater than the liability imposed by law upon other owners of motor vehicles or aircraft.


History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963



Rendered 8/15/2025 8:57 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov