New legislation introduced in the Michigan House aims to close loopholes that allow lawsuits to be filed in courtrooms or counties with little to no direct connection to the case.
Known as “venue shopping,” the practice allows litigants to pursue cases in jurisdictions they believe may provide a more favorable judge or jury pool. According to the Michigan Alliance for Legal Reform, this can create greater uncertainty in the legal system while contributing to court backlogs in frequently targeted venues.
House Bill 6268 (HB 6268) would seek to address the issue by tying the venue of a lawsuit to the location where the cause of action originally arose. The legislation would still preserve the ability to pursue a different venue in cases involving hardship or inconvenience.
“Common sense reforms can ensure lawsuits are heard where they belong – before a true jury of peers – protecting litigants and the rule of law while reducing costly delays and uncertainty in our courts,” said Zach Rudat, Director of the Michigan Alliance for Legal Reform.
Learn more about HB 6268, venue shopping, and what the proposed reforms could mean for Michigan’s legal system.