Rule 3.602.Arbitration

Subchapter 3.600 — Miscellaneous Proceedings · Last verified September 5, 2026

In one sentenceMCR 3.602 governs court involvement in arbitrations not covered by MCL 691.1681 et seq., from motions to compel or stay arbitration through confirmation of an award within one year, vacation, modification, and entry of judgment.

Full Text of Rule 3.602

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (I) (J) (K) (L) (M) (N)

(A) Applicability of Rule. Courts shall have all powers described in MCL 691.1681 et seq., or reasonably related thereto, for arbitrations governed by that statute. Unless otherwise provided by statute, an action or proceeding commenced on or after July 1, 2013, is governed by MCL 691.1681 et seq., and not this rule. The remainder of this rule applies to all other forms of arbitration, in the absence of contradictory provisions in the arbitration agreement or limitations imposed by statute, including MCL 691.1683(2).

(B) Proceedings Regarding Arbitration.

(1) A request for an order to compel or to stay arbitration or for another order under this rule must be by motion, which shall be heard in the manner and on the notice provided by these rules for motions. If there is not a pending action between the parties, the party seeking the requested relief must first file a complaint as in other civil actions.

(2) On motion of a party showing an agreement to arbitrate and the opposing party's refusal to arbitrate, the court may order the parties to proceed with arbitration and to take other steps necessary to carry out the arbitration agreement. If the opposing party denies the existence of an agreement to arbitrate, the court shall summarily determine the issues and may order arbitration or deny the motion.

(3) On motion, the court may stay an arbitration proceeding commenced or threatened on a showing that there is no agreement to arbitrate. If there is a substantial and good-faith dispute, the court shall summarily try the issue and may enter a stay or direct the parties to proceed to arbitration.

(4) A motion to compel arbitration may not be denied on the ground that the claim sought to be arbitrated lacks merit or is not filed in good faith, or because fault or grounds for the claim have not been shown.

(C) Action Involving Issues Subject to Arbitration; Stay. Subject to MCR 3.310(E), an action or proceeding involving an issue subject to arbitration must be stayed if an order for arbitration or motion for such an order has been made under this rule. If the issue subject to arbitration is severable, the stay may be limited to that issue. If a motion for an order compelling arbitration is made in the action or proceeding in which the issue is raised, an order for arbitration must include a stay.

(D) Hearing; Time; Place; Adjournment.

(1) The arbitrator shall set the time and place for the hearing, and may adjourn it as necessary.

(2) On a party's request for good cause, the arbitrator may postpone the hearing to a time not later than the day set for rendering the award.

(E) Oath of Arbitrator and Witnesses.

(1) Before hearing testimony, the arbitrator must be sworn to hear and fairly consider the matters submitted and to make a just award according to his or her best understanding.

(2) The arbitrator has the power to administer oaths to the witnesses.

(F) Discovery and Subpoenas.

(1) The court may enforce a subpoena or discovery-related order for the attendance of a witness in this state and for the production of records and other evidence issued by an arbitrator in connection with an arbitration proceeding in another state on conditions determined by the court so as to make the arbitration proceeding fair, expeditious, and cost effective.

(2) A subpoena or discovery-related order issued by an arbitrator in another state shall be served in the manner provided by law for service of subpoenas in a civil action in this state and, on motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or the arbitrator, enforced in the manner provided by law for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action in this state.

(3) On a party's request, the arbitrator may permit the taking of a deposition, for use as evidence, of a witness who cannot be subpoenaed or is unable to attend the hearing. The arbitrator may designate the manner of and the terms for taking the deposition.

(G) Representation by Attorney. A party has the right to be represented by an attorney at a proceeding or hearing under this rule. A waiver of the right before the proceeding or hearing is ineffective.

(H) Award by Majority; Absence of Arbitrator. If the arbitration is by a panel of arbitrators, the hearing shall be conducted by all of them, but a majority may decide any question and render a final award unless the concurrence of all of the arbitrators is expressly required by the agreement to submit to arbitration. If, during the course of the hearing, an arbitrator ceases to act for any reason, the remaining arbitrator or arbitrators may continue with the hearing and determine the controversy.

(I) Award; Confirmation by Court. A party may move for confirmation of an arbitration award within one year after the award was rendered. The court may confirm the award, unless it is vacated, corrected, or modified, or a decision is postponed, as provided in this rule.

(J) Vacating Award.

(1) A request for an order to vacate an arbitration award under this rule must be made by motion. If there is not a pending action between the parties, the party seeking the requested relief must first file a complaint as in other civil actions. A complaint or motion to vacate an arbitration award must be filed no later than 21 days after the date of the arbitration award.

(2) On motion of a party, the court shall vacate an award if:

(a) the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means;

(b) there was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral, corruption of an arbitrator, or misconduct prejudicing a party's rights;

(d) the arbitrator refused to postpone the hearing on a showing of sufficient cause, refused to hear evidence material to the controversy, or otherwise conducted the hearing to prejudice substantially a party's rights.

The fact that the relief could not or would not be granted by a court of law or equity is not ground for vacating or refusing to confirm the award.

(3) A motion to vacate an award must be filed within 91 days after the date of the award. However, if the motion is predicated on corruption, fraud, or other undue means, it must be filed within 21 days after the grounds are known or should have been known. A motion to vacate an award in a domestic relations case must be filed within 21 days after the date of the award.

(4) In vacating the award, the court may order a rehearing before a new arbitrator chosen as provided in the agreement, or, if there is no such provision, by the court. If the award is vacated on grounds stated in subrule (J)(2)(c) or (d), the court may order a rehearing before the arbitrator who made the award. The time within which the agreement requires the award to be made is applicable to the rehearing and commences from the date of the order.

(5) If the motion to vacate is denied and there is no motion to modify or correct the award pending, the court shall confirm the award.

(K) Modification or Correction of Award.

(1) A request for an order to modify or correct an arbitration award under this rule must be made by motion. If there is not a pending action between the parties, the party seeking the requested relief must first file a complaint as in other civil actions. A complaint to correct or modify an arbitration award must be filed no later than 21 days after the date of the arbitration award.

(2) On motion made within 91 days after the date of the award, the court shall modify or correct the award if:

(a) there is an evident miscalculation of figures or an evident mistake in the description of a person, a thing, or property referred to in the award;

(b) the arbitrator has awarded on a matter not submitted to the arbitrator, and the award may be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision on the issues submitted; or

(3) If the motion is granted, the court shall modify and correct the award to effect its intent and shall confirm the award as modified and corrected. Otherwise, the court shall confirm the award as made.

(4) A motion to modify or correct an award may be joined in the alternative with a motion to vacate the award.

(L) Judgment. The court shall render judgment giving effect to the award as corrected, confirmed, or modified. The judgment has the same force and effect, and may be enforced in the same manner, as other judgments.

(M) Costs. The costs of the proceedings may be taxed as in civil actions, and, if provision for the fees and expenses of the arbitrator has not been made in the award, the court may allow compensation for the arbitrator's services as it deems just. The arbitrator's compensation is a taxable cost in the action.

(N) Appeals. Appeals may be taken as from orders or judgments in other civil actions.

End

Plain-English Summary

MCR 3.602 is the court's half of arbitration: the orders a judge can enter before an arbitration starts, the requirements the rule places on the arbitration itself, and the deadlines for turning an award into a judgment or attacking it.

Which arbitrations the rule reaches

Subrule (A) draws the line. Courts hold all powers described in MCL 691.1681 et seq., or reasonably related to them, for arbitrations governed by that statute, and unless a statute provides otherwise, a matter commenced on or after July 1, 2013 is governed by that statute rather than this rule. The remainder of MCR 3.602 applies to all other forms of arbitration, absent contradictory provisions in the agreement or limits imposed by statute, including MCL 691.1683(2).

Compelling arbitration, staying the case

Subrule (B)(1) makes every request under the rule a motion, heard in the manner and on the notice these rules provide for motions. Where no action is pending, the moving party must first file a complaint as in other civil actions. On a showing of an agreement to arbitrate and the other side's refusal, subrule (B)(2) allows the court to order arbitration and other steps needed to carry out the agreement; where the agreement's existence is denied, the court summarily determines the issue. Subrule (B)(3) runs the other direction, allowing a stay of an arbitration commenced or threatened on a showing that there is no agreement, with a summary trial if the dispute is substantial and in good faith. Subrule (B)(4) removes one argument: a motion to compel may not be denied because the claim lacks merit, was not filed in good faith, or lacks a showing of fault or grounds.

Subject to MCR 3.310(E), subrule (C) requires the pending action to be stayed once an order for arbitration or a motion for one has been made, and the stay may be limited to a severable arbitrable issue.

Inside the arbitration

Subrules (D) through (H) set a short list of requirements. The arbitrator sets the time and place and, on a request for good cause, may postpone the hearing to a time no later than the day set for rendering the award. The arbitrator must be sworn before hearing testimony and may administer oaths to witnesses. Subrule (F) supplies court enforcement of subpoenas and discovery orders issued by an arbitrator in another state, and allows a deposition where a witness cannot be subpoenaed or attend. A party has the right to an attorney, and a waiver of that right before the proceeding is ineffective. Where a panel sits, a majority may decide any question and render a final award unless the agreement expressly requires the concurrence of all.

Award, attack, judgment

Confirmation: a motion to confirm lies within one year after the award was rendered.
Vacation: subrule (J)(1) sets a complaint or motion to vacate at no later than 21 days after the date of the award; subrule (J)(3) sets a motion to vacate within 91 days after that date, within 21 days after the grounds are known or should have been known where corruption, fraud, or other undue means is alleged, and within 21 days after the date of the award in a domestic relations case.
Modification or correction: a complaint no later than 21 days after the date of the award; on a motion made within 91 days after that date, the court shall modify or correct the award for an evident miscalculation or mistake, an award on a matter not submitted, or imperfection in form.

Subrule (L) directs entry of judgment giving effect to the award as corrected, confirmed, or modified, with the same force and enforcement as other judgments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does MCR 3.602 or the uniform arbitration act govern my case?

Subrule (A) turns on when the matter began. Unless otherwise provided by statute, an action or proceeding commenced on or after July 1, 2013 is governed by MCL 691.1681 et seq. and not by this rule, and courts hold all powers described in that statute or reasonably related to it.

The rest of MCR 3.602 applies to all other forms of arbitration, in the absence of contradictory provisions in the arbitration agreement or limitations imposed by statute, including MCL 691.1683(2).

How long do you have to confirm an arbitration award in Michigan?

Subrule (I) allows a party to move for confirmation within one year after the award was rendered. The court may confirm the award unless it is vacated, corrected, or modified, or a decision is postponed as the rule provides.

Subrule (J)(5) adds a second route to confirmation: if a motion to vacate is denied and no motion to modify or correct is pending, the court shall confirm the award.

What are the grounds for vacating an arbitration award under MCR 3.602?

Subrule (J)(2) lists four, and the court must vacate the award if one of them is shown. The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means. There was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral, corruption of an arbitrator, or misconduct prejudicing a party's rights. The arbitrator exceeded his or her powers. Or the arbitrator refused to postpone the hearing on a showing of sufficient cause, refused to hear material evidence, or otherwise conducted the hearing so as to prejudice a party's rights substantially.

The same subrule forecloses one argument: the fact that the relief could not or would not be granted by a court of law or equity is not a ground for vacating or refusing to confirm the award.

What is the deadline to move to vacate an arbitration award in Michigan?

Two provisions speak to timing. Subrule (J)(1) requires a complaint or motion to vacate an award to be filed no later than 21 days after the date of the award. Subrule (J)(3) states that a motion to vacate must be filed within 91 days after the date of the award.

Subrule (J)(3) also sets two special periods: where the motion rests on corruption, fraud, or other undue means, it must be filed within 21 days after the grounds are known or should have been known, and in a domestic relations case it must be filed within 21 days after the date of the award.

Can a court refuse to compel arbitration because the claim looks weak?

No. Subrule (B)(4) states that a motion to compel arbitration may not be denied on the ground that the claim sought to be arbitrated lacks merit or is not filed in good faith, or because fault or grounds for the claim have not been shown.

Where the opposing party denies that an agreement to arbitrate exists, subrule (B)(2) has the court summarily determine that issue and then order arbitration or deny the motion.

Who pays the arbitrator under MCR 3.602?

Subrule (M) allows the costs of the proceedings to be taxed as in civil actions. If the award makes no provision for the fees and expenses of the arbitrator, the court may allow compensation for the arbitrator's services as it deems just.

That compensation is a taxable cost in the action.

Source & verification. Rule text reproduced verbatim from the Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 3 (Special Proceedings and Actions), as published by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office, current through September 1, 2026. Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). Last verified September 5, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: arbitrationmotion to compel arbitrationvacate arbitration awardconfirm arbitration awardmcr 3.602arbitration staymodify arbitration award