Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.505 lets a Michigan court consolidate cases that share a substantial common question of law or fact into a joint hearing or trial, and separately lets it order separate trials of particular claims or issues for convenience, to avoid prejudice, or for efficiency.
(A)Consolidation. When actions involving a substantial and controlling common question of law or fact are pending before the court, it may
(1)order a joint hearing or trial of any or all the matters in issue in the actions;
(2)order the actions consolidated; and
(3)enter orders concerning the proceedings to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
(B)Separate Trials. For convenience or to avoid prejudice, or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition and economy, the court may order a separate trial of one or more claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party claims, or issues.
Amendment History
Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.
Plain-English Summary
When two or more pending cases share a real, controlling question of law or fact, the court doesn't have to try them one at a time from scratch. It can order a joint hearing or trial covering the shared issues, consolidate the cases outright, or enter whatever other orders will avoid unnecessary cost or delay in handling them together. The flip side works too: within a single case, the court can split off one or more claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party claims, or particular issues for a separate trial, whenever that serves convenience, avoids prejudice to a party, or would otherwise be more efficient than trying everything at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Michigan court combine my case with another one?
Yes, if the cases involve a substantial and controlling common question of law or fact; the court can order a joint hearing or trial, consolidate the actions, or enter other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay.
Can the court split my case into separate trials?
Yes. For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or where it would promote efficiency, the court may order a separate trial of one or more claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party claims, or issues.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.505). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:consolidation of cases Michiganseparate trials Michigan