Wisconsin’s experimental business court expanding

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Wisconsin’s business-court project will soon begin accepting more cases from around the state.

Starting Monday, parties in certain civil cases will be able petition for their cases to be heard in the state’s business court. To have a case transferred to the court, parties must submit a petition the Eighth and Third Judicial Districts.

The court had originally had its cases limited to those started in Waukesha County and the Eighth Judicial District, which encompasses Marinette, Oconto, Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Outagamie and Waupaca counties.

Two judges from Waukesha County and five from the judicial district preside over the court’s docket, in addition to overseeing their ordinary case load.

The judges hear only certain types of cases, primarily those involving disputes between businesses.

The court started operating on July 1, 2017. The Wisconsin Supreme Court in April 2017 approved the establishment of the court as a test project scheduled to last for three years, unless the justices choose to shut it down or extend it.