In the first conference day of the Court's new term, Chief Justice Robert P. Young and Justice Bridget McCormack unveiled new Limited English Proficiency rules intended to bring meaningful and consistent interpretation services throughout the state's courts. The Chief Justice credited former Justice Marilyn Kelly for laying the groundwork for the changes.
The 21-page order adopting the rule changes began with the auspicious proclamation:
The Michigan Supreme Court embraces the goal of providing access to all the courts of this State.
Although the joint presentation underscored the Court's new collegiality (see "The New Michigan Supreme Court"), the order itself revealed that notwithstanding the new atmosphere, spirited disagreement exists. Nine of the order's 21 pages were Justice Markman's dissent.
