Rule 351.Sequence and Manner of Calling Cases for Oral Argument
Article III. Civil Appeals Rules · Part E. Oral Argument · Last amended 1994 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 351 leaves each reviewing court free to set its own order for calling cases, while requiring the clerk to give counsel advance notice of oral argument.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 351
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Cases in the reviewing court shall be numbered in the order in which they are docketed. They
shall be called for argument or submitted without argument in the sequence and manner provided by the administrative orders of the court. The clerk shall give counsel advance notice as to when the case is to be argued, the amount of time for oral argument, and the requirement of advance registration, if any. The hour set shall be as definite as the business of the court permits. Counsel shall acknowledge receipt of the notice of oral argument and advise the clerk if they intend to argue.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 351 doesn't dictate exactly how a reviewing court runs its argument calendar. Cases are docketed in the order they're filed, but beyond that, each court decides — through its own administrative orders — the sequence and manner in which it calls cases for argument or submits them without argument.
What the rule does require is notice. The clerk must tell counsel in advance when a case will be argued, how much time each side gets, and whether advance registration is needed. Counsel, in turn, must confirm receipt of that notice and let the clerk know whether they plan to argue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides the order in which appeals get argued?
Each reviewing court, through its own administrative orders — Rule 351 sets the notice requirement but leaves the sequencing to the court.
What must the clerk tell counsel before oral argument?
The date the case is set for argument, how much time is allotted, and whether advance registration is required.
Do lawyers have to respond to the clerk's notice of argument?
Yes. Counsel must acknowledge receiving the notice and tell the clerk whether they intend to argue.
Does the rule guarantee a specific hour for argument?
No. The hour is set as definite as the court's business allows, but the rule doesn't fix a firm start time.
Why would a court set more than one starting time in a day?
Splitting arguments across multiple starting times can save counsel and parties time and expense when the court's calendar permits it.
Committee Comments
This rule replaces former Rule 42. Applicable to all reviewing courts, it leaves each court free to provide by administrative orders for the sequence and manner of calling cases for oral argument. The provision as to the notice to be given by the clerk to counsel is new. The last sentence is also new. If the business of the court permits it to set arguments for two or more starting times during the day, there will be a substantial saving of time and expense to counsel and parties.
Amendment History
Amended December 17, 1993, effective February 1, 1994.
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:oral argument calendardocket call order appealargument scheduling noticeappellate court argument calendar