The Michigan Supreme Court recently launched their MI-Resolve program which allows some individuals to resolve their civil or small claims cases online for free. The program’s online dispute resolution and mediation platform increases access to justice and is powered by Matterhorn.
The Detroit Free Press, WWMT Channel 3 West Michigan, and the Oakland County Legal News recently covered the launch of the MI-Resolve program.
The goal of the program is to make access to legal resources more equitable and to allow individuals to resolve certain types of cases online without the cost and time of having to go to court in person.
Increasing Accessibility and Efficiency
“(The public wants) courts that are engaged in their communities, that are accessible, that are independent and that are efficient, and frankly this dramatically increases both accessibility and efficiency.”
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack – “New Michigan Court Program Could let you Resolve Legal Disputes for Free Online,” Detroit Free Press, August 7, 2019
“MI-Resolve is available 24/7, so it’s ideal for people who may not have the transportation or time for a traditional mediation or resolution.”
Michelle Hilliker, Financial and Statistical Management Analyst, State Office of Dispute Resolution – Detroit Free Press, August 7, 2019
Working to Expand the Program
“It is absolutely my goal to get this offered in every county in Michigan. I tell my staff I would love to make it available by the end of the calendar year, I think they think that’s a bit aggressive.”
“But, I will tell you that I am pushing to do it as soon as we can do it well I want it available everywhere.”
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack – “MI Resolve: New, Free Tool Launched by State Supreme Court Working to Close Justice Gap,” WWMT Channel 3 West Michigan, August 8, 2019
Working to Increase Access to Justice with Tech Innovation
“I can’t tell you right now that we no longer have an access to justice problem, we do and we are working on it, but this is going to be one part of the set of answers to that problem. Any way in which we can meet some of the need with tech innovation like this, or anything else, is getting us a little further down the line to providing equal access to justice.”
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack – “MI Resolve: New, Free Tool Launched by State Supreme Court Working to Close Justice Gap,” WWMT Channel 3 West Michigan, August 8, 2019
“Making court services more accessible means opening both real and virtual courtroom doors. With the help of groundbreaking services such as MI-Resolve, Michigan is a national leader in boosting access to justice online.”
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack – “Michigan Supreme Court Announces MI-Resolve,” Oakland County Legal News, August 9, 2019
Saving Time and Cost for the Public and Courts
“Yes, it’s true litigants don’t pay for the service, but it actually ends up saving time for the public who uses it, as well as our courts. Right now, if somebody wants to resolve one of these kinds of disputes, they go to court, they file a complaint, they bring somebody else into court, court staff and judges use their time to resolve their disputes. So, those are not free. Those are expensive.”
“They are expensive for the litigants who have to take time off work, who have to find childcare and you have to do it within the hours the courts are open and it’s expensive for court staff. I think the cost of not doing it is a public that is inconvenienced and a justice that is more expensive for the public and more expensive for our courts.”
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack – “MI Resolve: New, Free Tool Launched by State Supreme Court Working to Close Justice Gap,” WWMT Channel 3 West Michigan, August 8, 2019
Congratulations to Chief Justice Bridget McCormack and the entire staff of the Michigan Supreme Court’s State Court Administrative Office for increasing access to justice in Michigan!
Learn More
- The Detroit Free Press full story
- WWMT Channel 3 West Michigan full story and video
- Oakland County Legal News full story
- MI-Resolve online site
- Learn more about the statewide rollout of ODR