Wis. Stat. » CHAPTER 902 — EVIDENCE — JUDICIAL NOTICE
Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 902.02 (2026)

Uniform judicial notice of foreign law act

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902.02902.02 Uniform judicial notice of foreign law act.
902.02(1)(1) Courts take notice. Every court of this state shall take judicial notice of the common law and statutes of every state, territory and other jurisdiction of the United States.
902.02(2)(2) Information of the court. The court may inform itself of such laws in such manner as it may deem proper, and the court may call upon counsel to aid it in obtaining such information.
902.02(3)(3) Determined by court; ruling reviewable. The determination of such laws shall be made by the court and not by the jury, and shall be reviewable.
902.02(4)(4) Evidence of foreign law. Any party may also present to the trial court any admissible evidence of such laws, but, to enable a party to offer evidence of the law in another jurisdiction or to ask that judicial notice be taken thereof, reasonable notice shall be given to the adverse parties either in the pleadings or otherwise.
902.02(5)(5) Foreign country. The law of a jurisdiction other than those referred to in sub. (1) shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.
902.02(6)(6) Interpretation. This section shall be so interpreted as to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.
902.02(7)(7) Short title. This section may be cited as the Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act.
902.02 HistoryHistory: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R38 (1973); 1979 c. 89.
902.02 AnnotationWisconsin courts cannot take judicial notice of foreign countries’ laws. The substance of foreign law remains a question of fact that must be pleaded and proved as any other fact. The meaning of a foreign country’s law is an issue reserved in the first instance for the circuit court under sub. (5). On appeal, the court reviews the circuit court’s findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard. Hennessy v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 400 Wis. 2d 50, 968 N.W.2d 684, 19-1206.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1990–2025 · leading case: Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 968 N.W.2d 684.
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Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 968 N.W.2d 684. · cites it 31× “The law of a jurisdiction other than [the states, territories and other jurisdictions of the United States] shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.”
Sharp ex rel. Gordon v. Case Corp., 595 N.W.2d 380 (Wis. 1999). · cites it 2× “The first issue presented by Case Corporation is whether the court of appeals erred in refusing to apply the Oregon statute of repose applicable to products liability actions, 2 which Case Corporation asserts would bar the action as untimely. ¶ 17. The choice of applicable law…”
State v. Seigel, 472 N.W.2d 584 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). “See generally sec. 902.02, Stats. The Seigels contend that the Illinois fireworks law is irrelevant to the question of whether they violated Wisconsin law.”
State ex rel. Ehlers v. Endicott, 523 N.W.2d 189 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 2× “However, if the arrest warrant is issued upon a judicial finding of probable cause, extradition is still proper.”
Schlussler v. Am. Fam. Mut. Ins., 460 N.W.2d 756 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). “See sec. 902.02(2), Stats. The terms of the Minnesota statute were discussed and acknowledged by counsel and the court.”
In re Custody of Sengstock, 477 N.W.2d 310 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). “We conclude that to apply the doctrine of comity to the temporary custody order of the tribal court would not be contrary to the law, morals or public policy of Wisconsin.”
Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2020 WI App 64, 950 N.W.2d 877. · cites it 3× “§ 902.02 (1)-(4) (addressing “foreign” U.”
State v. Beck, 555 N.W.2d 145 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 3× “The Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act is now codified at § 902.02, STATS. Section 902.02(1) is substantially identical to the former § 891.”
Sengstock v. San Carlos Apache Tribe, 477 N.W.2d 310 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). “We conclude that to apply the doctrine of comity to the temporary custody order of the tribal court would not be contrary to the law, morals or public policy of Wisconsin.”
Dennis v. Circuit Court for Bayfield Cnty., 468 N.W.2d 736 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Section 902.02, Stats. Even before the enactment of the Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act, common-law provided that the mere fact that a court will be called upon to administer the laws of another state, without more, is not grounds for a discretionary refusal to…”
In Matter of Est. of Warner, 468 N.W.2d 736 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Section 902.02, Stats. Even before the enactment of the Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act, common-law provided that the mere fact that a court will be called upon to administer the laws of another state, without more, is not grounds for a discretionary refusal to…”
Kenosha Cnty. DC&FS v. J. M. C., III, No. 2023AP001824 (Wis. Ct. App. Mar. 13, 2024). “§ 902.02(2). Thus, the circuit court could take judicial notice of the orders, and it was acceptable for the circuit court to rely on those to establish the first element required for abandonment.”
Show all 13 citing cases →
Wis. Stat. § 902.02(1): 4 cases
Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 968 N.W.2d 684. “The law of a jurisdiction other than [the states, territories and other jurisdictions of the United States] shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.”
State ex rel. Ehlers v. Endicott, 523 N.W.2d 189 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994). “However, if the arrest warrant is issued upon a judicial finding of probable cause, extradition is still proper.”
State v. Beck, 555 N.W.2d 145 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “The Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act is now codified at § 902.02, STATS. Section 902.02(1) is substantially identical to the former § 891.”
Waukesha Cnty. v. R. D. T., No. 2024AP001390 (Wis. Ct. App. Feb. 12, 2025).
Wis. Stat. § 902.02(2): 3 cases
Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 968 N.W.2d 684. “The law of a jurisdiction other than [the states, territories and other jurisdictions of the United States] shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.”
Schlussler v. Am. Fam. Mut. Ins., 460 N.W.2d 756 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). “See sec. 902.02(2), Stats. The terms of the Minnesota statute were discussed and acknowledged by counsel and the court.”
Kenosha Cnty. DC&FS v. J. M. C., III, No. 2023AP001824 (Wis. Ct. App. Mar. 13, 2024). “§ 902.02(2). Thus, the circuit court could take judicial notice of the orders, and it was acceptable for the circuit court to rely on those to establish the first element required for abandonment.”
Wis. Stat. § 902.02(5): 2 cases
Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2022 WI 2, 968 N.W.2d 684. “The law of a jurisdiction other than [the states, territories and other jurisdictions of the United States] shall be an issue for the court, but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.”
Daniel J. Hennessy, Jr. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2020 WI App 64, 950 N.W.2d 877. “§ 902.02 (1)-(4) (addressing “foreign” U.”
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