Sec. 8411.
(1) Before the commencement of a trial in the small claims division, the district court judge or magistrate shall inform both parties, orally or in writing, of the right to removal before trial to the general civil division and of all rights waived if they choose to remain in the small claims division.
(2) In hearings before the small claims division, witnesses shall be sworn. The judge shall conduct the trial in an informal manner so as to do substantial justice between the parties according to the rules of substantive law but shall not be bound by the statutory provisions or rules of practice, procedure, pleading, or evidence, except provisions relating to privileged communications, the sole object of such trials is to dispense expeditious justice between the parties. There shall be no jury nor shall a verbatim record of such proceedings be made.
History: Add. 1968, Act 154, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1991, Act 192, Eff. July 1, 1992
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 600 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961
Act 236 of 1961 - Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (600.101 - 600.9948)
236-1961-84 - Chapter 84 Small Claims Division (600.8401...600.8427)
Section 600.8401 - Small Claims Division; Creation; Judge; Jurisdiction.
Section 600.8401a - Instruction Sheets.
Section 600.8403 - Affidavit Forms; Availability; Preparation.
Section 600.8405 - Service; Manner; Proof.
Section 600.8407 - Filing of Claim in Small Claims Division; Restrictions.
Section 600.8411 - Removal; Waiver; Hearings; Manner of Conducting; No Jury or Verbatim Record.
Section 600.8412 - Waiver of Rights.
Section 600.8413 - Judgments; Conclusiveness; Form.
Section 600.8415 - Venue of Actions.
Section 600.8418 - Judgments; Certification.
Section 600.8419 - Forms and Stationery.
Section 600.8420 - Fees; Disposition.
Section 600.8421 - Costs to Prevailing Party.
Section 600.8422 - Counterclaim; Continuance.
Section 600.8423 - Separate Action by Defendant; Transmittal Fee; Transfer of Cause.
Section 600.8425 - Limitation on Claim or Recovery; Amendment Increasing Amount Claimed.
Section 600.8426 - Name in Which Defendant Sued; Validity of Judgment.
Section 600.8427 - Conduct of Small Claims Hearing by District Court Judge or Magistrate; Appeal.