Electronic Filing Resource Page

Overview

Electronic filing or e-filing is a method of filing court documents that uses an electronic format rather than a traditional paper format. Parties convert their documents into the file format designated by the court and file their documents via email or over the Internet. Filing systems range from systems created and supported by the specific court to systems outsourced to private vendors. By reducing courier and copying fees, use of paper, and staff time, E-Filing can be a tremendous cost savings.

New Developments

The Force of E-Filing, an ABA Journal article published in Februray 2006, discusses some developments regarding federal and state e-filing programs.

An April 19, 2005 press release from the U.S. Courts website indicates that the number of federal jurisdictions implementing the CM/ECF case system is on the rise. Click on the maps to see how your jurisdiction is faring.

According to the February/March 2005 issue of Law Office Computing, the District Court of New Jersey made e-filing mandatory beginning Jan. 31.

Macomb County in Michigan became the first district court in the state to allow e-filing. Read more about it here

E-filing provides privacy headaches at the US District Court in Wilmington, Delaware

Hildago County in Texas rung in 2005 by adopting e-filing.

In a News Release issued on March 13, 2002, the US Judicial Conference announced their decision to approve a pilot program that gives Internet access to criminal case files.

State Courts using a State-Wide Electronic Filing System

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota (pilot program)

Ohio

Texas

Washington

Federal Jurisdictions using Electronic Filing via CM/ECF

The Federal judiciary recently adopted CM/ECF, a case management program that supports electronic filing. This system standardizes e-filing across the Federal court system. As a component of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts' Pacer Service Center, CM/ECF provides electronic access to all case information to participating courts. The United States Federal Courts website has a list of all U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts that accept electronic filing.

Electronic Filing Court Rules

Many states, even if they do not have a state-wide electronic filing system, have court rules regarding e-filing. Here is a comprehensive list of all state court rules addressing electronic filing.

Vendors

Counterclaim
Counterclaim's openEFM is an open source electronic filing system that court systems may purchase.
CXCorporation
CXCorporation's CXn is a court-specific case management, electronic filing, and electronic internet docketing system.
E-Filing
E-Filing's EDAR system is a electronic filing and docket management solution that court systems may purchase. E-Filing's One Click E-Filing allows attorneys and others to quickly create and file court documents.
LawPlace
A web-based electronic filing solution that court systems may purchase.
LexisNexis File & Serve
An Internet-hosted electronic filing and docket solution for law firms and court systems.
Tybera
Tybera's eFlex is a electronic filing product that court systems may purchase.
Whitehill Enterprise
Add-on product that helps with the creation and conversion of legal documents into PDF format.
Wiznet
Wiznet offers an E-file and Serve product that allows filing 24 hours a day from any computer with an Internet connection.
*Mention of a company, product, or service does not indicate endorsement or support by the American Bar Association, the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center or the authors.