Proceedings in the supreme court shall be those provided in rules or statutes governing briefs and arguments.
821.06.Briefs and argument.
Ch. 821: Uniform Certification of Questions of Law Rule · Last amended 1982 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 821.06 has certified-question proceedings in the Wisconsin Supreme Court follow the same briefing and argument rules or statutes that already govern the court.
Full Text of Section 821.06
Plain-English Summary
Section 821.06 keeps this chapter from duplicating procedure that already exists. Proceedings in the supreme court over a certified question follow those provided in rules or statutes governing briefs and arguments, the same procedure used for any other matter before the court.
That means parties brief and argue a certified question the same way they would any other supreme court matter, without a special certification-only track layered on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special briefing rules just for certified questions?
No, section 821.06 directs that proceedings follow the existing rules or statutes governing briefs and arguments in the supreme court.
How do parties argue a certified question before the Wisconsin Supreme Court?
The same way as under the rules or statutes that otherwise govern briefs and argument in that court.
Does this section create a new procedural track for certified questions?
No, it incorporates the existing procedures rather than creating a separate one.
Why does not this chapter spell out its own briefing schedule?
Because section 821.06 already ties certified-question proceedings to the rules or statutes that generally govern briefs and argument, making a separate schedule unnecessary.
Does this section cover oral argument as well as briefing?
Yes, the text covers both briefs and argument.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 107 Wis. 2d xiii (1982).
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: wisconsin certified question briefing rulesoral argument certified question wisconsins. 821.06 briefs and argumentsupreme court procedure certified questions wisconsin