A party to a civil action or probate proceeding:

1. (1) May compel any adverse party, any person for whose benefit the action or proceeding is instituted, prosecuted or defended, or any officer, director, managing agent, or other agent or employee having knowledge of facts relevant to the action or proceeding, of a public or private corporation, partnership or association which is an adverse party or for whose benefit the action or proceeding is instituted, prosecuted or defended, to testify as a witness in his behalf, in the same manner and subject to the same rules as other witnesses;
2. (2) may take the deposition of such party or person in the same manner and subject to the same rules as those pertaining to the taking of other depositions; and,
3. (3) in either case, may examine such party to the same extent as an adverse witness.

(1949 Rev., S. 7901; March, 1958, P.A. 27, S. 64; 1959, P.A. 444; 1961, P.A. 177; P.A. 73-209; P.A. 82-160, S. 82.)

History: 1959 act provided party may be examined to same extent as adverse witness; 1961 act extended application to officers, etc. of corporations, partnerships or associations and provided for taking depositions; P.A. 73-209 allowed party to compel agents or employees “having knowledge of facts relevant to the action or proceeding” to testify; P.A. 82-160 rephrased the section and inserted Subdiv. indicators.