Online dispute resolution tool goes live in Ottawa, Allegan, Barry counties

Online dispute resolution tool goes live in Ottawa, Allegan, Barry counties
<strong>Photo by iStock</strong>

The Michigan Supreme Court Office of Dispute Resolution launched MI-Resolve, an online tool that aids in resolving disputes, in Ottawa, Allegan and Barry counties.

The online tool, which is now available in 47 counties, resolves disputes that are typically filed as small claims, general civil or landlord-tenant cases in the district court.

“Keeping the virtual doors of justice open to everyone in Michigan has never been more important. Confronting the COVID-19 crisis makes closing the justice gap all the more urgent,” Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack said. “Opening up online dispute resolution to Ottawa, Allegan and Barry county residents represents a huge step toward achieving that goal.”

MI-Resolve provides an avenue for parties to negotiate directly with each other online for free. It also offers a Community Dispute Resolution Center mediator to help resolve disputes. If a case is resolved, the system will produce the necessary court forms for filing in the individual courts

All 83 counties are expected to have access to MI-Resolve services by the end of June, which will allow Michigan to be the first state to have an online dispute resolution system for every citizen in the state.

Types of cases that have been managed through MI-Resolve, to date:

  • Repayment of vehicle and personal loans
  • Nondelivery or quality of goods and services
  • Car accident (attempts to collect the deductible)
  • Landlord/tenant (return of security deposit and disputes over the amount of security deposit withheld, completion of repairs on rental homes)
  • Return of private property between parties ending a domestic relationship
  • Completion of repairs or home improvements (contractor/home repairs)
  • Neighbor use of property that doesn’t belong to them; building fence on neighbor lot