If, after a verdict is returned or findings of fact and conclusions of law are filed, the judge before whom an action has been tried is unable to perform the duties prescribed by these rules because of death, illness, or other disability, another judge regularly sitting in or assigned to the court in which the action was tried may perform those duties. However, if the substitute judge is not satisfied that he or she can do so, the substitute judge may grant a new trial.
Rule 2.630.Disability of Judge
Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.630 lets another judge step in to finish post-verdict duties when the judge who tried a Michigan case dies, falls ill, or becomes otherwise unable to act after a verdict or bench-trial findings are already in, and lets that substitute judge order a new trial instead if unable to responsibly complete those remaining duties.
Full Text of Rule 2.630
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
Once a jury has returned its verdict, or a judge has already filed findings of fact and conclusions of law in a bench trial, the case isn't necessarily derailed if that judge then dies, becomes ill, or is otherwise unable to finish the job. Another judge who regularly sits in, or is assigned to, the same court can step in and perform the remaining duties the rules would otherwise require of the original judge. But that substitute isn't forced to guess at a record built by someone else: if the substitute judge isn't satisfied that the remaining duties can be responsibly completed from what's already there, the substitute can grant a new trial instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the judge who presided over my trial becomes unable to finish the case?
If a verdict was already returned, or findings of fact and conclusions of law already filed, another judge regularly sitting in or assigned to that court can step in and complete the remaining duties.
Can the substitute judge just order a new trial instead?
Yes, if that judge isn't satisfied that the case can be responsibly finished based on what's already in the record.
Does this rule apply before a verdict or findings are in?
No. It applies only after a verdict has been returned or findings of fact and conclusions of law have already been filed.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.630). 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: disability of judge Michigansubstitute judge after verdict