Mich. Const. art. VI, § 5

Courtrules;distinctionsbetweenlawandequity;masterinchancery. Sec.5.Thesupremecourtshallbygeneralrulesestablish,modify,amendandsimplifythe practice and procedure in all courts of this state. The distinctions between law and equity proceedings shall, as far as practicable, be abolished. The office of master in chancery is prohibited. History: Const.1963,Art.VI,§5,Eff.Jan.1,1964. Constitutionality: TheStateofMichigan,throughthecombinedactionsoftheSupremeCourt,theLegislature,andtheStateBar, maycompulsorilyexactdues,andrequireassociationofattorneys,tosupportonlythosedutiesandfunctionsoftheStateBarwhichservea compellingstateinterestandwhichcannotbeaccomplishedbymeanslessintrusiveupontheFirstAmendmentrightsofobjectingattorneys. Falkv.StateBar,418Mich.270,342N.W.2d504(1983). Theregulationofthepracticeoflaw,themaintenanceofhighstandardsinthelegalprofession,andthedischargeoftheprofession’sduty toprotectandinformthepublicarepurposesinwhichtheStateofMichiganhasacompellinginterestjustifyingunavoidableintrusionsonthe FirstAmendmentrightsofattorneys;ontheotherhand,politicalandlegislativeactivitiesareimpermissibleintrusions,asareactivities designedtofurthercommercialandeconomicinterestsofthemembersofthebar.Falkv.StateBar,418Mich.270,342N.W.2d504(1983). FormerConstitution: SeeConst.1908,Art.VII,§5.