Michigan Supreme Court Concludes Judgment Entered on Motion is a “Verdict” Sufficient to Invoke Case Evaluation Awards and Costs Provision of Michigan Court Rules

Yesterday, in Acorn Investment Co v. Michigan Basic Property Insurance, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying a point that has been in contention for quite some time regarding the meaning of the term "verdict" under Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 2.403(O), for purposes of determining when a trial court may issue an award of case [...]

Tenants Occupying Insured Property Not Entitled to Coverage for Loss of Home by Fire Where Insured Did Not Reside In Premises – Court of Appeals Issues 2-1 Decision Holding Insurer Did Not Owe Coverage for Claim

This is an interesting insurance coverage decision issued by the Court of Appeals involving a claim for coverage involving a residential property destroyed by fire, which was not occupied by the insured. In Null v. Auto Owners, et al.COA.Opinion.10.22.2013, a 2-1 decision (Judges Fitzgerald and O'Connell, Shapiro, J. dissenting), the Court of Appeals holds an [...]

Michigan Supreme Court Issues Opinion Articulating Its Constitutional Limitations and Authority in Changing the Common Law

In Price v. High Pointe Oil Co, Inc., the Michigan Supreme Court provides a clear pronouncement on the constitutional limitations and legitimate authority the judiciary has to change the common law.  In doing so, the Court refused to extend as a common-law rule the view that a plaintiff may recover non-economic damages (i.e., mental and emotional [...]