Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part F. Trials · Last amended 1975 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 233 fixes the sequence parties follow at trial, from jury selection through closing evidence, based on their order in the pleadings unless the parties or the court set a different order.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 233
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The parties shall proceed at all stages of the trial, including the selection of prospective jurors
as specified in Rule 234, opening and closing statements, the offering of evidence, and the examination of witnesses, in the order in which they appear in the pleadings unless otherwise agreed by all parties or ordered by the court. In consolidated cases, third-party proceedings, and all other cases not otherwise provided for, the court shall designate the order.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 233 answers a basic question: who goes first? At every stage of trial, from picking jurors through opening statements, presenting evidence, and questioning witnesses, the parties proceed in the order they appear in the pleadings, unless everyone agrees to a different order or the court sets one.
That default breaks down once a case gets more complicated. In consolidated cases, cases with third-party claims, or any other situation the rule does not squarely address, the court decides the order itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who goes first at trial under Rule 233?
The parties proceed in the order they appear in the pleadings, unless they agree otherwise or the court orders a different sequence.
Does Rule 233 cover jury selection too?
Yes, it covers the selection of prospective jurors as conducted under Rule 234, along with opening statements, evidence, and witness examination.
What happens in a case with third-party claims?
The court designates the order of proceeding, since the default pleading-order rule does not neatly apply.
Can the parties agree to change the order themselves?
Yes, the parties can agree among themselves to proceed in a different order than the pleadings suggest.
What about consolidated cases with several plaintiffs or defendants?
The court sets the order of proceeding for consolidated cases rather than relying on the pleading sequence.
Committee Comments
(Revised July 1, 1975)
This is Rule 6.2 of the Uniform Rules for the Circuit Courts of Illinois.
The phrase “as specified in Rule 234” was added in 1975 to reflect changes in the procedure for conduct of the voir dire examination of prospective jurors, effected at the same time by amendments to Rule 234.
Amendment History
Amended effective July 1, 1975.
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:order of proceeding at trialwho goes first at trialtrial sequenceplaintiff defendant order