Bureau Circuit Court, Illinois Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Pleadings must leave a space of at least 2 by 2 inches in the upper-right portion of the first page for the Clerk's file mark.

contain a space at least 2 by 2 inches at the upper right portion of the first page for the Clerk's file mark

CRITICAL

A pleading longer than one page must be stapled at the upper right and left corners.

if such pleading contains more than one page, shall be stapled at the upper right and left corners.

CRITICAL

Only one side of each page may be used, except for forms and exhibits.

With the exception of forms and exhibits, only one side of each page shall be used.

CRITICAL

The copy of a will in a language other than English filed with the petition must be typewritten.

When a will is in a language other than English the petitioner shall file a typewritten copy of the will along with the petition to probate and a certification by a qualified translator that a translation of the will is true and correct.

CRITICAL

A foreign representative or attorney-in-fact seeking leave to receive the share must submit the petition in the court-prescribed form.

The foreign representative or attorney-in-fact shall present his petition for leave to receive the share in the form prescribed by the court.

CRITICAL

Pleadings must not contain a backing sheet.

shall not contain a backing sheet

CRITICAL

Documents exceeding the size limits must be divided into appropriately sized filings; each document is currently limited to 25MB and a transaction to 35MB, subject to possible future increases.

If a document exceeds the maximum size allowed, the filer will file multiple documents, each under the maximum file size. In such case, the filer will be responsible for dividing the document into appropriately sized parts. Currently the maximum file size allowed for each document is 25MB, with a total maximum size of all documents filed in one transaction at 35MB. Maximum file size allowances may increase as technology advances allow.

CRITICAL

The copy of a handwritten will filed with the petition must be typewritten.

When a will is handwritten, the petitioner shall file a typewritten copy of the will along with the petition to probate and an affidavit of the petitioner or his attorney that the typewritten copy is true and correct to the best of his knowledge.

WARNING

Statistical reports must use the prescribed form.

The mediator shall prepare a statistical report for each case on the prescribed form and file them at least quarterly with the trial court administrator.

WARNING

The Clerk must place a file mark in the upper-right corner of the first page of each document upon presentment.

Upon presentment to the Clerk, the Clerk shall place a file mark on the first page of each document in the upper right-hand corner.

WARNING

Electronically filed pleadings must, to the extent practicable, follow the EFM’s formatting requirements.

All electronically filed pleadings shall, to the extent practicable, be formatted in accordance with the requirements set by the EFM.

WARNING

Noncompliant attorney filings may be rejected; noncompliant pro se filings must be reviewed by the court for acceptance before rejection.

Documents filed by attorneys that do not comply with the format specified by the applicable order, statute, or rule may be rejected. Documents filed by pro se parties that do not comply with the format specified by the applicable order, statute, or rule shall be reviewed for acceptance by the court prior to rejection.

WARNING

At the pre-trial conference or at any other time as may be designated by the court, the court may direct that the parties produce all of the exhibits they expect to offer into evidence. Each of the exhibits shall thereupon be marked for identification either by the court reporter, clerk, or attorneys, as the court may direct.

At the pre-trial conference or at any other time as may be designated by the court, the court may direct that the parties produce all of the exhibits they expect to offer into evidence. Each of the exhibits shall thereupon be marked for identification either by the court reporter, clerk, or attorneys, as the court may direct.

WARNING

Interrogatories must leave reasonable space for answers; an answering party may attach an addendum if needed, and the addendum must identify the question answered.

The interrogatories shall be reasonably spaced so as to permit the answering party to make his answer on the interrogatories served on him. The answering party may attach an addendum to the copies if the space provided is insufficient. If an addendum is attached, it must clearly refer to the question being answered.

WARNING

The Mediator’s Report must use the prescribed form.

The mediator shall prepare a Mediator’s Report on the prescribed form within ten (10) days of the termination of the last mediation session.

INFO

A document electronically signed under the Standards, Rule, or Order satisfies requirements for original signatures on court documents.

Any document electronically signed pursuant to the Standards, Rule or Order satisfies Supreme Court Rules and statutes regarding original signatures on court documents.