Wisconsin Circuit Court Civil Cover Sheet

WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT CIVIL COVER SHEET

Wisconsin Circuit Court — Case Classification and Filing Information

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Wisconsin circuit court civil filings require a case classification type and code, which is used for administrative tracking and statistical reporting. The case classification code must be entered on the complaint and in the eFiling system. All statewide forms comply with the eFiling format requirements under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(d).

Key Requirements:

• Select the appropriate Wisconsin case classification code for the type of civil action being filed
• Enter the case classification code on the complaint and in the electronic filing system
• Standard statewide forms are required by all Wisconsin circuit courts
• Electronic filing through the Wisconsin eFiling system is mandatory in most counties
• County-specific supplements or local rules may apply — check with the specific county clerk of court
• Probate, family, and juvenile matters use separate classification code families

Wisconsin Circuit Courts:
Wisconsin has 72 counties, each with a circuit court. Some counties have multiple branches. Milwaukee County has the largest circuit court with multiple divisions including a civil division.

SECTION 1: COURT AND CAPTION

County: [________________________________]

Branch: [________________________________] (if applicable)

STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
_________________ COUNTY

_________________________________,
                    Plaintiff,
                                            Case No.: ________________
v.                                          (Assigned by Clerk)

_________________________________,          Case Classification Code: ________
                    Defendant.

Date of Filing: [__/__/____]

SECTION 2: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s)

Additional Plaintiff(s): ☐ See attached list

Defendant(s)

Additional Defendant(s): ☐ See attached list

SECTION 3: ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY INFORMATION

☐ Self-Represented Party (Pro Se) — If checked, provide personal contact information above.

Attorney For: ☐ Plaintiff ☐ Defendant ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 4: CASE CLASSIFICATION — SELECT PRIMARY CODE

Wisconsin uses numeric case classification codes for all circuit court filings. Select the code that best describes the primary nature of the civil action. The case classification code must appear on the complaint and be entered in the eFiling system.

Tort — Personal Injury / Property Damage (301xx)

Contract / Money Judgment (303xx)

Real Property (304xx)

Employment (309xx)

Administrative / Statutory (306xx)

Declaratory / Equitable / Other Civil (305xx / 307xx)

Small Claims (31xxx) — Filed in Small Claims Division

Selected Case Classification Code: [________________________________]

Note: Family (5xxxx), juvenile (3xxxx-J), guardianship (6xxxx), mental commitment (2xxxx), and probate (7xxxx) matters use separate code families and filing forms. Do not use this civil cover sheet for those filings.

SECTION 5: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

Monetary Relief Sought

• ☐ $5,000 or less (small claims threshold for certain actions)
• ☐ $5,001 to $10,000 (small claims eligible — Wis. Stat. § 799.01)
• ☐ $10,001 to $25,000
• ☐ $25,001 to $50,000
• ☐ $50,001 to $100,000
• ☐ $100,001 to $500,000
• ☐ Over $500,000

Specific Amount (if stated): $ [________________________________]

Note: Under Wis. Stat. § 802.02(1m), a claim for damages in an action in tort shall not state a specific dollar amount. The claim shall state only that the amount demanded exceeds the jurisdictional amount of the court.

Non-Monetary Relief Sought

• ☐ Injunctive Relief (temporary and/or permanent)
• ☐ Declaratory Judgment
• ☐ Specific Performance
• ☐ Replevin
• ☐ Other Equitable Relief: [________________________________]

SECTION 6: JURY DEMAND

• ☐ Jury trial demanded pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 805.01
• ☐ Non-jury / Bench trial
• ☐ Jury demand to be filed later

Note: Under Wis. Stat. § 805.01(1), a jury demand must be filed no later than the earlier of (a) the scheduling conference or (b) the date set by the court's scheduling order. The right to a jury trial is waived if not timely demanded. A jury fee must be paid at the time of demand.

SECTION 7: RELATED CASES

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Wisconsin court?

• ☐ No related cases
• ☐ Yes — Provide details below:

Consolidation Requested: ☐ Yes ☐ No

SECTION 8: SERVICE INFORMATION

Method of Service (Wis. Stat. § 801.11)

• ☐ Personal Service (Wis. Stat. § 801.11(1)(a))
• ☐ Substituted Service — Left with competent family member at abode (Wis. Stat. § 801.11(1)(b))
• ☐ Service by Publication (Wis. Stat. § 801.12, requires court order)
• ☐ Service by Certified Mail (where authorized by statute)
• ☐ Service on Registered Agent (for entities registered with WI DFI)
• ☐ Service on Secretary of State (Wis. Stat. § 801.11(5), for foreign corporations)
• ☐ Service by Sheriff or Process Server
• ☐ Acceptance / Waiver of Service (Wis. Stat. § 801.07)

Service Addresses

SECTION 9: SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

Complex Case Designation

• ☐ Complex case designation requested (Milwaukee County or other participating counties)
• ☐ Not applicable

Foreclosure Mediation

• ☐ This is a residential mortgage foreclosure subject to mediation requirements
• ☐ Not applicable

Class Action

• ☐ This is a class action (Wis. Stat. § 803.08)
• ☐ Not applicable

SECTION 10: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Interpreter / Language Access

• ☐ Interpreter needed — Language: [________________________________]

ADA / Disability Accommodations

• ☐ Accommodation needed — Describe: [________________________________]

Confidential / Sealed Filing

• ☐ Motion to seal or restrict access filed
• ☐ Confidential filing under Wis. Stat. § 801.19 (eFiling confidential documents)

SECTION 11: FILING FEE INFORMATION

Per Wis. Stat. § 814.61 and court fee schedule (confirm current fees with clerk):

Civil Filing Fees

Note: Court support services surcharges are set under Wis. Stat. § 814.85: $51.00 for claims of $10,000 or less; $169.00 for claims over $10,000; $68.00 for non-monetary claims. Additional surcharges may apply. Fees are subject to change. Fee waivers available under Wis. Stat. § 814.29 for indigent parties.

Fee Paid: $ [________________________________]
Receipt Number: [________________________________]
Fee Waiver Granted: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending (under Wis. Stat. § 814.29)

SECTION 12: REQUIRED FILING DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

Wisconsin circuit court eFiling requires certain common documents with civil filings:

• ☐ Summons (Wis. Stat. § 801.09)
• ☐ Complaint (Wis. Stat. § 802.02)
• ☐ Civil Cover Sheet / Case Classification Information
• ☐ Filing Fee / Fee Waiver Application
• ☐ Affidavit of Indigency (if fee waiver sought, Wis. Stat. § 814.29)
• ☐ Medical Malpractice — Report of Expert Screening Panel (Wis. Stat. § 655.445)
• ☐ Lis Pendens (if real property action, Wis. Stat. § 840.10)
• ☐ Foreclosure — Affidavit of Regularity
• ☐ Class Action — Motion for Class Certification
• ☐ Additional Local Forms: [________________________________]
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 13: ATTORNEY / PARTY CERTIFICATION

I certify that the information provided on this Civil Cover Sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, formed after a reasonable inquiry under the circumstances, consistent with Wis. Stat. § 802.05. I understand that by signing this document, I am certifying compliance with the requirements of the Wisconsin Rules of Civil Procedure.

Date: ___/___/______

_______________________________________________
Signature

_______________________________________________
Printed Name

_______________________________________________
State Bar of Wisconsin Number (if applicable)

_______________________________________________
Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff  ☐ Defendant  ☐ Other: ____________

SECTION 14: FOR CLERK'S USE ONLY

WISCONSIN-SPECIFIC PRACTICE NOTES

1. Case Classification Codes: Wisconsin case classification codes are numeric and mandatory. The code must appear on the complaint and be entered in the eFiling system. The complete list of current codes is available at wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/circuitcodes.htm. Using an incorrect code may result in filing rejection or administrative reassignment.

2. Mandatory eFiling (Wis. Stat. § 801.18): Wisconsin has implemented mandatory electronic filing for most case types in most counties. All eFiling documents must comply with Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(d) formatting requirements, including proper margins and spacing. File through the Wisconsin eFiling system at efiling.wicourts.gov.

3. Medical Malpractice — Special Requirements (Wis. Stat. Chapter 655):
   - Wisconsin has a Medical Mediation Panel process under Wis. Stat. § 655.445
   - A medical malpractice claim must generally be submitted to a mediation panel before filing in circuit court
   - The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (Wis. Stat. § 655.27) may apply
   - Expert testimony requirements under Wis. Stat. § 907.02

4. Products Liability (Wis. Stat. § 895.047): Wisconsin enacted products liability reform in 2011. The statute establishes a risk-utility test, addresses the learned intermediary doctrine, and provides specific rules for seller liability.

5. Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31 et seq.): Employment discrimination claims under the WFEA must first be filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development — Equal Rights Division before filing in circuit court.

6. Statute of Limitations — Common Periods:
   - Personal Injury: 3 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.54)
   - Written Contract: 6 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.43)
   - Oral Contract: 6 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.43)
   - Property Damage: 6 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.52)
   - Medical Malpractice: 3 years from injury or 1 year from discovery (Wis. Stat. § 893.55)
   - Products Liability: 3 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.54)
   - Wrongful Death: 3 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.54)
   - Fraud: 6 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.93(1)(b))

7. Foreclosure Requirements: Wisconsin mortgage foreclosures are governed by Wis. Stat. § 846.01 et seq. Key features include:
   - Judicial foreclosure is required (no non-judicial foreclosure)
   - Redemption periods: 12 months (standard), 6 months (if abandoned), or shorter with court approval
   - Mediation may be required for residential foreclosures in some counties
   - Deficiency judgments are available under Wis. Stat. § 846.04

8. Venue: Under Wis. Stat. § 801.50, venue is proper in the county where the claim arose, the county of residence of any defendant, or as otherwise provided by statute. Improper venue may be challenged by motion under Wis. Stat. § 801.51.

9. Service of Process: Wisconsin provides multiple service methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.11. Personal service is the preferred method. Substituted service on a competent family member at the defendant's usual abode is also authorized. Service by publication requires a court order.

10. Milwaukee County Civil Division: Milwaukee County has a dedicated civil division with specific procedures for complex cases, business disputes, and high-volume dockets. Check Milwaukee County local rules for additional requirements.

Sources and References

• Wisconsin Circuit Court Case Classification Codes: https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/circuitcodes.htm
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Fees and Filing: https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/filing.htm
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms: https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/index.htm
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables (PDF): https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/docs/fees.pdf
• Wisconsin eFiling — Required Documents: https://efilinghelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/25177238495885
• Wis. Stat. § 801.02 — Commencement of Action
• Wis. Stat. § 801.11 — Service of Process
• Wis. Stat. § 801.18 — Electronic Filing
• Wis. Stat. § 802.02 — Pleadings — Form of Complaint
• Wis. Stat. § 802.05 — Signing of Pleadings
• Wis. Stat. § 805.01 — Jury Trial
• Wis. Stat. § 814.01 et seq. — Court Costs, Fees, and Surcharges
• Wis. Stat. § 814.04 — Items of Costs: https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/civil-procedure-ch-799-to-847/wi-st-814-04/
• Wis. Stat. § 814.61 — Fees in Circuit Court
• Wis. Stat. § 814.85 — Court Support Services Surcharge
• Wis. Stat. § 814.29 — Fee Waivers for Indigent Parties
• Wis. Stat. Chapter 655 — Medical Malpractice
• Wis. Stat. § 895.047 — Products Liability
• Wis. Stat. § 111.31 et seq. — Wisconsin Fair Employment Act
• Waukesha County Large Claims Class Codes: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/circuit-courts/civil-court/large-claims-lawsuit-10-000-or-more/large-claims-class-codes/