Sec. 8037.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (7), a business court consists of sitting circuit judges assigned by the supreme court in a number reasonably reflecting the caseload of the business court. While sitting as a judge of a business court, a circuit judge may exercise the jurisdiction of the business court as provided by law.

(2) A circuit judge assigned as a judge of a business court is assigned for a term of 6 years and may be reassigned at the expiration of the judge's term.

(3) The term of a judge of a business court expires on April 1, 2019, and on April 1 of every sixth year after that.

(4) If a circuit judge acting as a business court judge before whom a case has been tried or a motion heard is disabled or absent from the place where court is held, another circuit judge designated to sit as the judge of a business court may continue to hear, determine, and sign all matters that his or her predecessor could have heard, determined, and signed.

(5) If a circuit judge designated to sit as a judge of the business court leaves office for any reason before signing a judgment and after 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 business court may proceed with that action in a manner consistent with the finding of fact or opinion. The successor judge has the same powers as if the finding of fact had been made or the opinion had been rendered by the successor judge.

(6) If a circuit judge leaves office while sitting as a judge of a business court, the supreme court may assign a circuit judge to serve for the remainder of the judge's term on the business court.

(7) A concurrent jurisdiction plan adopted under chapter 4 and approved by the supreme court may provide that 1 or more probate judges or district judges within the circuit may exercise the power and jurisdiction of the business court.

History: Add. 2012, Act 333, Eff. Jan. 1, 2013