# Illinois Supreme Court Rule — Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Papers-- Sanctions

Updated October 27, 2026

Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.

Official source text retained on collection date; source versions and later amendments must remain visible. No exhaustive certification of current legal effect.

[Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/9ce1fce9-895f-463e-b87d-f9b7631f8fde/Rule%20137.pdf) · Collected 2026-10-27

## Rule 137. Signing of Pleadings, Motions and Other Documents—Sanctions

Committee Comments (June 14, 2013) Under Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(c), an attorney may limit the scope of a representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent. Such a limited scope representation may include providing advice to a party regarding the drafting of a pleading, motion or other paper, or reviewing a pleading, motion or other paper drafted by a party, without filing a general or limited scope appearance. In such circumstances, an attorney is not required to sign or otherwise note the attorney’s involvement and the certification requirements in Rule 137 are inapplicable. Moreover, even if an attorney is identified in connection with such a limited scope representation, the attorney will not be deemed to have made a general or limited scope appearance. Consistent with the limited scope of services envisioned under this drafting and reviewing function, attorneys may rely on the representation of facts provided by the self-represented person. This rule applies, for example, to an attorney who advises a caller to a legal aid telephone hotline regarding the completion of a form pleading, motion or other paper or an attorney providing information at a pro bono clinic. All obligations under Rule 137 with respect to signing pleadings and certifications apply fully in those limited scope representations where an attorney has filed a general or limited scope appearance. Drafting a pleading, motion or other paper, or reviewing a pleading, motion or paper drafted by a party does not establish any independent responsibility not already applicable under current law.

Circuit Court proceedings; civil-only rules remain civil-only. Remote-appearance categories and exceptions must be read in the full rule. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.