Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Michigan, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules established by the Michigan Supreme Court. The Michigan Court Rules (MCR) are a comprehensive set of rules that dictate the procedures to be followed in civil litigation within the state courts. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including filing lawsuits, serving documents, conducting discovery, trial procedures, and appeals. The MCR are designed to ensure that civil cases are handled fairly, efficiently, and consistently across the state's judicial system. Additionally, for cases in federal courts located in Michigan, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) apply, which provide a uniform set of procedural rules for civil cases in all federal district courts across the United States.