801.56 Change of venue if judge disqualified by interest.
801.58 Substitution of judge.
801.61 Proceedings after order for change of venue.
801.62 Conclusiveness of change of venue; second motion.
801.63 Stay of proceeding to permit trial in a foreign forum.
Ch. 801 Note
NOTE: Chapter 801 was created by Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585 (1975), which contains Judicial Council Committee notes explaining each section. Statutes prior to the 1983-84 edition also have these notes.
801.01
801.01
Kinds of proceedings; scope of chs. 801 to 847. 801.01(1)(1)
Kinds. Proceedings in the courts are divided into actions and special proceedings. "Action", as used in
chs. 801 to
847, includes "special proceeding" unless a specific provision of procedure in special proceedings exists.
801.01(2)
(2) Scope. Chapters 801 to
847 govern procedure and practice in circuit courts of this state in all civil actions and special proceedings whether cognizable as cases at law, in equity or of statutory origin except where different procedure is prescribed by statute or rule.
Chapters 801 to
847 shall be construed to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.
801.01(3)(a)(a) Chapters 801 to
803 shall apply to all actions commenced on or after January 1, 1976.
801.01(3)(b)
(b) Chapters 804 to
807 shall apply to all actions pending or commenced on or after January 1, 1976, except those actions in which trial has commenced prior to January 1, 1976, as to which the statutes and rules in effect prior to January 1, 1976, shall continue to apply.
801.01(3)(c)
(c) Amendments and repeals of sections outside of
chs. 801 to
807 shall be effective as follows:
801.01(3)(c)1.
1. Amendments and repeals effected in order to conform with provisions in
chs. 801 to
803 shall apply to all actions commenced on or after January 1, 1976.
801.01(3)(c)2.
2. Amendments and repeals other than those effected in order to conform with provisions in
chs. 801 to
803 shall take effect on January 1, 1976, as to all actions then pending or thereafter commenced, except as provided in
par. (b).
801.01 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 588 (1975);
1977 c. 449;
1979 c. 89;
1981 c. 390.
801.01 Annotation
Chapters 801 to 847 apply to in rem actions under 161.555 regarding issue whether action may be brought against inanimate object as sole "defendant". See note to 801.07, citing State v. One 1973 Cadillac, 95 W (2d) 641, 291 NW (2d) 626 (Ct. App. 1980).
801.01 Annotation
See note to 799.29, citing King v. Moore, 95 W (2d) 686, 291 NW (2d) 304 (Ct. App. 1980).
801.01 Annotation
An "action" includes special proceedings such as probate. In Matter of Estate of Martz, 171 W (2d) 89, 491 NW (2d) 772 (Ct. App. 1992).
801.01 Annotation
The new Wisconsin rules of civil procedure: Chapters 801—803. Clausen and Lowe. 59 MLR 1.
801.02
801.02
Commencement of action. 801.02(1)
(1) A civil action in which a personal judgment is sought is commenced as to any defendant when a summons and a complaint naming the person as defendant are filed with the court, provided service of an authenticated copy of the summons and of the complaint is made upon the defendant under this chapter within 60 days after filing.
801.02(2)
(2) A civil action in which only an in rem or quasi in rem judgment is sought is commenced as to any defendant when a summons and a complaint are filed with the court, provided service of an authenticated copy of the summons and of either the complaint or a notice of object of action under
s. 801.12 is made upon the defendant under this chapter within 60 days after filing.
801.02(3)
(3) The original summons and complaint shall be filed together. The authenticated copies shall be served together except:
801.02(3)(a)
(a) In actions in which a personal judgment is sought, if the summons is served by publication, only the summons need be published, but a copy of the complaint shall be mailed with a copy of the summons as required by
s. 801.11, and;
801.02(3)(b)
(b) In actions in which only an in rem or quasi in rem judgment is sought, the summons may be accompanied by a notice of object of action pursuant to
s. 801.12 in lieu of a copy of the complaint and, when the summons is served by publication, only the summons need be published, but a copy of the complaint or notice of object of action shall be mailed with the copy of the summons as required by
s. 801.12.
801.02(4)
(4) No service shall be made under
sub. (3) until the action has been commenced in accordance with
sub. (1) or
(2).
801.02(5)
(5) An action seeking a remedy available by certiorari, quo warranto, habeas corpus, mandamus or prohibition may be commenced under
sub. (1), by service of an appropriate original writ on the defendant named in the writ if a copy of the writ is filed forthwith, or by filing a complaint demanding and specifying the remedy, if service of an authenticated copy of the complaint and of an order signed by the judge of the court in which the complaint is filed is made upon the defendant under this chapter within the time period specified in the order. The order may specify a time period shorter than that allowed by
s. 802.06 for filing an answer or other responsive pleading.
801.02(6)
(6) Fees payable upon commencement of a civil action shall be paid to the clerk at the time of filing.
801.02(7)
(7) No prisoner, as defined in
s. 301.01 (2), may commence a civil action or special proceeding against an officer, employe or agent of the department of corrections in his or her official capacity or as an individual for acts or omissions committed while carrying out his or her duties as an officer, employe or agent or while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment or agency until the person has exhausted any administrative remedies that the department of corrections has promulgated by rule.
801.02 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 589 (1975);
1975 c. 218;
1981 c. 289,
317;
1995 a. 27.
801.02 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1981: Sub. (1) is amended to allow an action seeking an extraordinary remedy to be commenced in the same manner as any other civil action. Sub. (5) allows the additional option of using an order to shorten the time for filing a response to the complaint in lieu of a summons. This option is for the emergency situation when the case may be moot before a response would be filed. The order serves the same purpose as the alternative writ and the order to show cause used to initiate the action under writ procedures. In all other matters of procedure, the rules of civil procedure govern to the extent applicable. Sub. (5) applies only to procedure in the circuit court. In seeking an extraordinary remedy in the supreme court or court of appeals, s. 809.51, stats., should be followed. [Bill 613-A]
801.02 Annotation
Pursuant to (5), certiorari action may be commenced in three ways: pursuant to (1) allowing for summons and complaint, by service of appropriate writ, or by filing a complaint and serving it along with an order, in lieu of summons, upon defendant. Nickel River Inv. v. LaCrosse Review Bd., 156 W (2d) 429, 457 NW (2d) 333 (Ct. App 1990).
801.02 Annotation
Certiorari action may be commenced by filing and serving summons and complaint pursuant to (1). Tobler v. Door County, 158 W (2d) 19, 461 NW (2d) 775 (1990).
801.02 Annotation
Test to determine whether defects in summons and complaints are fatal set forth. Court has jurisdiction where error is technical and complainant can show defendant was not prejudiced; where error is fundamental no jurisdiction may attach. Am. Family Mut. Ins. v. Royal Ins. Co., 167 W (2d) 524, 481 NW (2d) 629 (1992).
801.02 Annotation
Summons which designated an attorney to receive the defendant's answer but was signed by the plaintiff was technically defective and did not deprive the court of personal jurisdiction. Dungan v. County of Pierce, 170 W (2d) 89, 486 NW (2d) 77 (Ct. App. 1992).
801.02 Annotation
A summons served by publication under sub. (3) must be authenticated for the trial court to obtain personal jurisdiction. Burnett v. Hill, 199 W (2d) 163, 544 NW (2d) 580 (Ct. App. 1996).
801.03
801.03
Jurisdiction; definitions. In this chapter, the following words have the designated meanings:
801.03(1)
(1) "Defendant" means the person named as defendant in a civil action, and where in this chapter acts of the defendant are referred to, the reference attributes to the defendant any person's acts for which acts the defendant is legally responsible. In determining for jurisdiction purposes the defendant's legal responsibility for the acts of another, the substantive liability of the defendant to the plaintiff is irrelevant.
801.03(2)
(2) "Person" means any natural person, partnership, association, and body politic and corporate.
801.03(3)
(3) "Plaintiff" means the person named as plaintiff in a civil action, and where in this chapter acts of the plaintiff are referred to, the reference attributes to the plaintiff the acts of an agent within the scope of the agent's authority.
801.03 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 591 (1975);
1975 c. 218;
1983 a. 189.
801.03 Annotation
Illegal aliens have right to sue in Wisconsin for injuries negligently inflicted upon them. Arteaga v. Literski, 83 W (2d) 128, 265 NW (2d) 148 (1978).
801.04
801.04
Jurisdictional requirements for judgments against persons, status and things. 801.04(1)
(1)
Jurisdiction of subject matter required for all civil actions. A court of this state may entertain a civil action only when the court has power to hear the kind of action brought. The power of the court to hear the kind of action brought is called "jurisdiction of the subject matter". Jurisdiction of the subject matter is conferred by the constitution and statutes of this state and by statutes of the United States; it cannot be conferred by consent of the parties. Nothing in
chs. 801 to
847 affects the subject matter jurisdiction of any court of this state.
801.04(2)
(2) Personal jurisdiction. A court of this state having jurisdiction of the subject matter may render a judgment against a party personally only if there exists one or more of the jurisdictional grounds set forth in
s. 801.05 or
801.06 and in addition either:
801.04(2)(b)
(b) Service of a summons is dispensed with under the conditions in
s. 801.06.
801.04(3)
(3) Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem. A court of this state having jurisdiction of the subject matter may render a judgment in rem or quasi in rem upon a status or upon a property or other thing pursuant to
s. 801.07 and the judgment in such action may affect the interests in the status, property or thing of all persons served pursuant to
s. 801.12 with a summons and complaint or notice of object of action as the case requires.
801.04 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 591 (1975);
1979 c. 89.
801.04 Annotation
A court having jurisdiction may decline to exercise it if there are sufficient policy reasons to do so. Jones v. Jones, 54 W (2d) 41, 194 NW (2d) 627.
801.04 Annotation
State courts, including small claims courts, have a constitutional obligation to hear and decide 42 USC sec. 1983 cases whether or not the federal right asserted is pendent to a state claim. Terry v. Kolski, 78 W (2d) 475, 254 NW (2d) 704.
801.04 Annotation
See note to 753.03, citing In Matter of Guardianship of Eberhardy, 102 W (2d) 539, 307 NW (2d) 881 (1981).
801.04 Annotation
Prior adult proceeding which litigated question of respondent's age collaterally estopped state from relitigating same question in juvenile court and juvenile court has subject matter jurisdiction of case. In Interest of H.N.T. 125 W (2d) 242, 371 NW (2d) 395 (Ct. App. 1985).
801.04 Annotation
Subject to limited exception, complainants in 42 USC 1983 actions need not exhaust administrative remedies prior to bringing action in state court. Casteel v. Vaade, 167 W (2d) 1, 481 NW (2d) 277 (1992).
801.04 Annotation
State court jurisdiction. 1978 WLR 533.
801.05
801.05
Personal jurisdiction, grounds for generally. A court of this state having jurisdiction of the subject matter has jurisdiction over a person served in an action pursuant to
s. 801.11 under any of the following circumstances:
801.05(1)
(1) Local presence or status. In any action whether arising within or without this state, against a defendant who when the action is commenced:
801.05(1)(a)
(a) Is a natural person present within this state when served; or
801.05(1)(b)
(b) Is a natural person domiciled within this state; or
801.05(1)(c)
(c) Is a domestic corporation or limited liability company; or
801.05(1)(d)
(d) Is engaged in substantial and not isolated activities within this state, whether such activities are wholly interstate, intrastate, or otherwise.
801.05(2)
(2) Special jurisdiction statutes. In any action which may be brought under statutes of this state that specifically confer grounds for personal jurisdiction over the defendant.
801.05(3)
(3) Local act or omission. In any action claiming injury to person or property within or without this state arising out of an act or omission within this state by the defendant.
801.05(4)
(4) Local injury; foreign act. In any action claiming injury to person or property within this state arising out of an act or omission outside this state by the defendant, provided in addition that at the time of the injury, either:
801.05(4)(a)
(a) Solicitation or service activities were carried on within this state by or on behalf of the defendant; or
801.05(4)(b)
(b) Products, materials or things processed, serviced or manufactured by the defendant were used or consumed within this state in the ordinary course of trade.
801.05(5)
(5) Local services, goods or contracts. In any action which:
801.05(5)(a)
(a) Arises out of a promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some 3rd party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to perform services within this state or to pay for services to be performed in this state by the plaintiff; or
801.05(5)(b)
(b) Arises out of services actually performed for the plaintiff by the defendant within this state, or services actually performed for the defendant by the plaintiff within this state if such performance within this state was authorized or ratified by the defendant; or
801.05(5)(c)
(c) Arises out of a promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some 3rd party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to deliver or receive within this state or to ship from this state goods, documents of title, or other things of value; or
801.05(5)(d)
(d) Relates to goods, documents of title, or other things of value shipped from this state by the plaintiff to the defendant on the defendant's order or direction; or
801.05(5)(e)
(e) Relates to goods, documents of title, or other things of value actually received by the plaintiff in this state from the defendant without regard to where delivery to carrier occurred.
801.05(6)
(6) Local property. In any action which arises out of:
801.05(6)(a)
(a) A promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some 3rd party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to create in either party an interest in, or protect, acquire, dispose of, use, rent, own, control or possess by either party real property situated in this state; or
801.05(6)(b)
(b) A claim to recover any benefit derived by the defendant through the use, ownership, control or possession by the defend-ant of tangible property situated within this state either at the time of the first use, ownership, control or possession or at the time the action is commenced; or
801.05(6)(c)
(c) A claim that the defendant return, restore, or account to the plaintiff for any asset or thing of value which was within this state at the time the defendant acquired possession or control over it.
801.05(7)
(7) Deficiency judgment on local foreclosure or resale. In any action to recover a deficiency judgment upon a mortgage note or conditional sales contract or other security agreement executed by the defendant or predecessor to whose obligation the defendant has succeeded and the deficiency is claimed either:
801.05(7)(a)
(a) In an action in this state to foreclose upon real property situated in this state; or
801.05(7)(b)
(b) Following sale of real property in this state by the plaintiff under
ch. 846; or
801.05(7)(c)
(c) Following resale of tangible property in this state by the plaintiff under
ch. 409.
801.05(8)
(8) Director, officer or manager of a domestic corporation or limited liability company. In any action against a defendant who is or was an officer, director or manager of a domestic corporation or domestic limited liability company where the action arises out of the defendant's conduct as such officer, director or manager or out of the activities of such corporation or limited liability company while the defendant held office as a director, officer or manager.
801.05(9)
(9) Taxes or assessments. In any action for the collection of taxes or assessments levied, assessed or otherwise imposed by a taxing authority of this state after July 1, 1960.
801.05(10)
(10) Insurance or insurers. In any action which arises out of a promise made anywhere to the plaintiff or some 3rd party by the defendant to insure upon or against the happening of an event and in addition either:
801.05(10)(a)
(a) The person insured was a resident of this state when the event out of which the cause of action is claimed to arise occurred; or
801.05(10)(b)
(b) The event out of which the cause of action is claimed to arise occurred within this state, regardless of where the person insured resided.
801.05(11)
(11) Certain marital actions. In addition to personal jurisdiction under
sub. (1) and
s. 801.06, in any action affecting the family, except for actions under
ch. 769, in which a personal claim is asserted against the respondent commenced in the county in which the petitioner resides at the commencement of the action when the respondent resided in this state in marital relationship with the petitioner for not less than 6 consecutive months within the 6 years next preceding the commencement of the action and the respondent is served personally under
s. 801.11. The effect of any determination of a child's custody shall not be binding personally against any parent or guardian unless the parent or guardian has been made personally subject to the jurisdiction of the court in the action as provided under this chapter or has been notified under
s. 822.05 as provided in
s. 822.12.
