Challenge to Michigan Claims Court Gets Nixed by Sixth Circuit

A lawsuit arguing the Michigan Court of Claims is unconstitutional for consisting of judges who also sit on the higher appellate court was tossed Thursday by the Sixth Circuit on standing grounds.

Three people who lost their cases in the Court of Claims sued Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, saying the Court of Claims violates due process because it consists of Michigan Court of Appeals judges. Losing parties at the Court of Claims appeal to the Court of Appeals, requiring appellate judges to review their colleagues’ work and depriving litigants of a neutral decisionmaker on appeal, ...