On July 2, 2012, Oakland County launched its Specialized Business Docket (“SBD”). The SBD is a pilot program, which will be used to determine if there is sufficient demand for specialized business courts in Michigan. The SBD will also attempt to determine whether a special business court will help lower the costs of litigation. The goal is that the SBD will allow cases to move through the system more efficiently, increasing the effectiveness of the courts. The SBD program will run through December 31, 2014.
In order to qualify for the SBD, the amount in controversy must exceed $500,000. Generally, the types of cases that will be assigned to the SBD are business governance and internal business disputes, shareholder oppression cases, antitrust cases, trade secret cases, intellectual property cases, contract disputes, securities cases, as well commercial real estate disputes.
Cases may be assigned to the SBD by stipulation of the parties, by motion, or by judicial discretion with notice to the parties. Cases assigned to the SBD will receive individual, specific scheduling orders as well as special case management plans.
