Court Opinion

ID: 9850454
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:57:40.195141+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:37.515083
License: Public Domain

Griffin, J.
(concurring). I concur in the result. It is well settled that an order of dismissal with prejudice operates as a final judgment on the merits for res judicata purposes. Brownridge v Michigan Mutual Ins Co, 115 Mich App 745; 321 NW2d 798 (1982). The instant action, however, is not barred by res judicata for the reason that the dismissal of the prior action is deemed to be without prejudice because the order does not specify that the dismissal is with prejudice. Former GCR 1963, 504.1(2).1_

 Former GCR 1963, 504.1(2) provided:
By Order of Court. Except as provided in sub-rule 504.1(1), an action shall not be dismissed at the plaintiff’s instance unless by order of court upon such terms and conditions as the court deems proper. If a counterclaim has been pleaded by a defendant prior to the service upon him of the plaintiff’s motion to dismiss, the court shall not order the action dismissed over the defendant’s objection unless the counterclaim can remain pending for independent adjudication by the court. Unless otherwise specified in the order, a dismissal by order of court under this paragraph is without prejudice.