Before a standard of writing is admitted in evidence by the court for comparison, such notice thereof as under all circumstances of the case is reasonable shall first be given to the opposite party or his or her attorney.
8-1502.Notice.
Article VIII. Evidence · Part 15. Proof of Handwriting · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRequires a party who wants to use a handwriting standard for comparison to give the opposing party reasonable advance notice before the court admits it.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/8-1502
Plain-English Summary
Before a court admits a "standard of writing" for the comparison method authorized in Section 8-1501, this section requires the offering party to give the opposing party or that party's attorney notice — "such notice thereof as under all circumstances of the case is reasonable."
The statute doesn't fix a specific number of days; it sets a flexible, case-by-case reasonableness standard instead. Read with Section 8-1503, which follows it, the two sections form a two-step safeguard: notice first, then a guaranteed opportunity to examine the standard before it's used in evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the statute require notice before a handwriting standard is admitted?
To give the opposing party fair warning before comparison evidence comes into the case.
How much notice is enough?
The statute doesn't set a fixed period. It requires "such notice ... as under all circumstances of the case is reasonable," a case-by-case standard.
Who must receive the notice?
The opposing party, or that party's attorney.
What happens after notice is given?
Under Section 8-1503, the opposing party then gets a reasonable opportunity to examine the proposed standard before it's introduced.
Does this section apply beyond the handwriting-comparison method in Section 8-1501?
No. It's specifically about a "standard of writing" admitted "for comparison," the mechanism Section 8-1501 sets out.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: notice requirement handwriting evidence illinoishandwriting standard admission illinoisreasonable notice writing comparison illinoisnotice before handwriting evidence illinois