Article I. General Rules · Last amended 1982 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1 explains which body of rules controls a case, splitting trial court proceedings from appeals and applying certain provisions to both civil and criminal matters.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 1
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General rules apply to both civil and criminal proceedings. The rules on proceedings in the
trial court, together with the Civil Practice Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure, shall govern all proceedings in the trial court, except to the extent that the procedure in a particular kind of action is regulated by a statute other than the Civil Practice Law. The rules on appeals shall govern all appeals.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1 tells you where to look for the procedural rules that control a case. It splits the rulebook into two tracks: one set of rules for trial court proceedings, another for appeals. Both tracks apply regardless of whether the case is civil or criminal.
For trial court cases, this rule says the Supreme Court Rules work alongside the Civil Practice Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure. If a specific statute outside the Civil Practice Law regulates a particular kind of action, that statute controls instead. For appeals, the appeals rules govern everything, no matter what kind of case is being appealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rule 1 apply to both civil and criminal cases?
Yes. The general rules in Article I apply across the board, and separate rule sets then govern civil and criminal proceedings specifically.
What happens if a special statute conflicts with the Civil Practice Law?
The special statute controls for that type of action, since Rule 1 lets a statute outside the Civil Practice Law take precedence over the general civil rules.
Do the same rules govern trial courts and appeals?
No. Rule 1 keeps trial court procedure and appellate procedure as separate tracks, each governed by its own set of rules.
Why does Illinois need a rule just to state which rules apply?
Because the Supreme Court Rules cover both civil and criminal practice, at both the trial and appellate level. Rule 1 keeps those tracks straight.
Where do I find the rules that govern an Illinois appeal?
The appeals rules, found later in the Supreme Court Rules, govern every appeal regardless of case type.
Committee Comments
(Revised July 1, 1971)
This rule changed former Rule 1, in effect until January 1, 1967, which provided that the rules applied only to civil proceedings unless the rules or their context indicated otherwise. In the revised rules, separate articles contain the rules applicable to civil proceedings (articles II and III) and those applicable to criminal proceedings (articles IV and VI). Certain general provisions (article I) apply to both. The second sentence of Rule 1 establishes for trial court proceedings the same standard for determining applicability that appears in section 1 of the Civil Practice Act. The third sentence was revised in 1969 when the appeals rules were broadened to cover all appeals. The authority for supersedure of inconsistent statutes is found in the provision of the Judicial Article, effective January 1, 1964 (former Illinois Const., art. VI, §7), repeated in the new constitution effective July 1, 1971 (art. VI, §16), that directs the Supreme Court to “provide by rule for expeditious and inexpensive appeals.” See Committee Comments to Civil Appeals Rules and Rule 601. Supersedure by the criminal appeals rules (Rule 601 et seq.) of the appeals provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is covered by Rule 601. The effective date of the revised rules and their applicability to pending proceedings are covered in the order adopting the rules.
Amendment History
Amended October 21, 1969, effective January 1, 1970; amended February 19, 1982, effective April 1, 1982; amended May 28, 1982, effective July 1, 1982.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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