Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part B. Pleadings and Other Papers · Last amended 2013 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 132 requires every case-initiating document to label the case by category, such as at law, in chancery, or small claim.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 132
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Every complaint or other document initiating any civil action or proceeding shall contain in
the caption the words “at law,” “in chancery,” “in probate,” “small claim,” or other designation conforming to the organization of the circuit court into divisions. Misdesignation shall not affect the jurisdiction of the court.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 132 requires the caption of any complaint or other document that starts a civil case to include a designation matching how the circuit court organizes its divisions, terms like "at law," "in chancery," "in probate," or "small claim." That label helps the clerk route the case correctly from the start.
Getting the designation wrong will not sink the case. The rule specifically states that a misdesignation does not affect the court’s jurisdiction, so a labeling error is a clerical problem, not a legal one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to designate a case as "at law" or "in chancery"?
It identifies which division or type of proceeding the case falls under within the circuit court’s organization, which helps route and process the filing correctly.
What happens if I label my case wrong on the caption?
Nothing fatal. Rule 132 says a misdesignation does not affect the court’s jurisdiction over the case.
Does every civil filing need this designation, or just the first one?
Only the document that initiates the case, such as the original complaint, needs the designation in its caption.
What are examples of designations used under Rule 132?
Common ones include "at law," "in chancery," "in probate," and "small claim," along with any other designation matching the circuit court’s division structure.
Why does Illinois require this label if getting it wrong does not matter jurisdictionally?
It helps courts and clerks manage caseloads and route filings to the right division, even though an honest mistake will not derail the underlying case.
Committee Comments
This is former Rule 9(1) without change of substance.
Amendment History
Amended Jan. 4, 2013, eff. immediately.
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
Also known as:case designation illinoisat law in chancery small claimcaption requirements civil casemisdesignation of case typesmall claim caption label