question: **I recently took an evidence deposition for an upcoming jury trial. how should i handle filing the written transcript and the dvd?
Answer: Effective, January 1, 2018, the Supreme Court amended Rules 206 and 207, directing that deposition transcripts and recordings shall not be filed with the Circuit Clerk as a matter of course. Local Rule 102 was recently amended to address this issue. It states: Any party intending to offer testimony by way of evidence deposition shall be responsible for efiling the transcript prior to Final Pre-Trial or as directed by the court. A recording of a deposition for use in evidence shall be filed as directed by the court. Transcripts and recordings shall be marked as exhibits pursuant to Local Rule 10F. (Note: Amended Rule 102 has not yet been published).
question: **How do I make sure my client’s private financial information is protected?
Answer: 750 ILCS 5/501(a)(1) addresses the filing of Financial Affairs Affidavits (“FAA”) in Dissolution/other Family cases. Specifically, the FAA is to be supported by documentary evidence including income tax returns, pay stubs and bank statements. The FAA is not to be made part of the public record.
The best way to protect your client’s financial information is to attach the required documentary information to your FAA and efile it with the Court. You may also want to consider NOT including the FAA and supporting documents as Exhibits at hearing, but refer to the Court filed FAA. If you include the supporting documents (e.g. income tax returns) as exhibits separate from the FAA they will not be excluded from the public record and MUST be redacted.
The best way to protect your client’s financial information is to attach the required documentary information to your FAA and efile it with the Court. You may also want to consider NOT including the FAA and supporting documents as Exhibits at hearing, but refer to the Court filed FAA. If you include the supporting documents (e.g. income tax returns) as exhibits separate from the FAA they will not be excluded from the public record and MUST be redacted.