Respondent-appellant (the mother) appeals as of right the trial court’s order terminating her parental rights to the minor child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(i). 1 She challenges the trial court’s asser *150 tion of jurisdiction over the minor child and termination of her parental rights by its order granting petitioner’s motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10). We vacate the court’s order and remand for further proceedings.
On July 8, 1999, petitioner Family Independence Agency (fia) began proceedings to terminate the mother’s parental rights to the minor child. The fia also sought termination of the parental rights of the putative father, James Lee Payne, and the legal father, respondent Robert Jones. The mother timely asserted her right to a jury trial to determine the trial court’s jurisdiction over the child. At the conclusion of one of several pretrial hearings, the putative father requested a separate jury trial. In response to this jury demand, the fia informed the court that if the father insisted on a separate jury trial, the fia would file a motion for summary disposition with respect to the issue of jurisdiction.
Counsel for the fia treated this child protective proceeding like any civil matter and filed a motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10) with respect to both fathers and the mother. The FIA argued that no genuine issue of material fact existed regarding the trial court’s grounds to assert jurisdiction over the minor child. Notably, the FIA did not ask the court to terminate parental rights on summary disposition; instead, the fia asked only that the court assume jurisdiction over the child.
The mother’s appointed counsel did not object to the use of summary disposition to resolve the matter *151 and agreed to waive oral argument on the motion. Counsel sought an extension of time in which to file a brief in opposition to the ha’s motion, and the court granted the request. The court indicated that it would either grant summary disposition with respect to the question of jurisdiction and proceed to the dispositional phase, or it would deny the motion and conduct a trial with respect to the issue of jurisdiction. Ultimately, counsel for the mother never filed a response to the ElA’s motion for summary disposition. 2
The trial court issued a written opinion. The court explained in a footnote its rationale for concluding that summaiy disposition is permitted in child protective proceedings. The court noted that MCR 5.901 through MCR 5.927 govern child protective proceedings and that, pursuant to MCR 5.901, other Michigan Court Rules apply only when subchapter 5.900 specifically provides. The court recognized that MCR 2.116(C)(10) is not explicitly made applicable to such proceedings. However, the court noted the commentary to MCR 5.993, which suggests that MCR 2.119, governing motion practice generally, has been incorporated by reference. Further, the court reasoned, MCR 5.972 governs trials in child protective proceedings and assumes the existence of disputed issues of fact. The court concluded that “[i]f such is not the case, no reason exists not to allow a motion under MCR 2.116(C)(10).”
The trial court found no genuine issue of material fact and concluded that grounds for its assertion of jurisdiction existed. Because the mother had not op *152 posed the motion for summary disposition, the court felt it was compelled to grant the motion and noted the mother’s failure to demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. Instead of limiting its consideration to the question of jurisdiction, the court sua sponte made findings of fact and terminated the mother’s parental rights.
On appeal, the mother argues that the trial court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the minor child and termination of her parental rights on the basis of a grant of summary disposition violated her right to procedural due process.
3
Although she did not oppose the fia’s motion for summary disposition or argue that the motion was not properly before the court, we will address the argument because it involves a significant constitutional issue and all necessary facts are before this Court.
In re RFF,
In child protective proceedings, the trial court must first determine whether it may exercise jurisdiction over the child.
In re Brock,
The trial court clearly did not follow the procedures set forth in the court rules governing child protective proceedings. It failed to honor the mother’s demand for a jury trial in the adjudicative phase, and it failed to conduct a dispositional hearing.
Moreover, the trial court erred in concluding that MCR 2.116(C)(10) applies to child protective proceedings. MCR 2.116(C)(10) allows a trial court to grant a motion for summary disposition where there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Clearly, MCR 2.116(C)(10) does not apply to child protective proceedings. MCR 5.901 provides in part:
*154 (A) The rules in this subchapter, in subchapter 1.100 and in rule 5.113, govern practice and procedure in the family division of the circuit court in all cases filed under the Juvenile Code. Other Michigan Court Rules apply to such juvenile cases in the family division of the circuit court only when this subchapter specifically provides.
(B) Unless the context otherwise indicates:
(1) MCR 5.901-5.927, 5.980 and 5.991-5.993 apply to delinquency proceedings and child protective proceedings;
(4) MCR 5.961-5.974 apply only to child protective proceedings[.] [Emphasis added.]
At no place in subchapter 5.900 is MCR 2.116 applied to child protective proceedings. When interpreting court rules, we apply the same standards that govern statutory interpretation.
Hopkins v Parole Bd,
The trial court correctly noted that the commentary to MCR 5.993 suggests that MCR 2.119 has been incorporated by reference in the rules governing child protective proceedings. MCR 5.922(C) explicitly provides that “[M]otion practice in juvenile court is governed by MCR 2.119 .. . .” However, it does not follow that MCR 2.116 also applies. MCR 2.119 governs general considerations of motion practice, such as the *155 forms of motions and affidavits, the time for service, the hearing procedures for contested motions, and motion fees. In contrast, MCR 2.116 provides for a specific type of motion, i.e., a motion for summary disposition.
On appeal, the fia adopts and elaborates on the trial court’s reasoning. The FIA argues that because MCR 2.116(G) provides that MCR 2.119 applies to summary disposition motions, and MCR 2.119 applies to child protective proceedings, then MCR 2.116 applies to child protective proceedings. The fia’s argument is based on specious logic and is simply without merit. The fact that the general motion practice provisions of MCR 2.119 apply to motions for summary disposition brought under MCR 2.116 and also to motion practice under MCR subchapter 5.900 has no bearing on whether MCR 2.116 applies to child protective proceedings.
The trial court’s employment of summary disposition procedures is not permitted by our court rules and does not comport with due process. 4 Without addressing the merits of the fia’s claim, the trial court’s disregard of proper procedure warrants vacation of the court’s order and remand for an adjudicative trial.
Vacated and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.
Notes
MCL 712A19b(3)(i) provides grounds to terminate parental rights if “[pjarental rights to 1 or more siblings of the child have been terminated *150 due to serious and chronic neglect or physical or sexual abuse, and prior attempts to rehabilitate the parents have been unsuccessful.”
Our review of the record indicates that the only filing by the mother’s attorney was the demand for a jury trial.
The mother makes only a procedural argument on appeal. She does not address the factual basis underlying the trial court’s assertion of jurisdiction and termination of her parental rights.
This author notes his concern that the fia would advance such a tenuous legal position while a child’s future remains uncertain.