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Vol. 35, Number 11—November 2003

IN DEPTH

CM/ECF FAQ

Q. What hardware and software are needed to file documents in CM/ECF systems?

A. Filers will need:
  • A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh.
  • A PDF-compatible word processor.
  • Internet service.
  • Netscape Navigator version 4.6 or 4.7 or Internet Explorer 5.5.
  • Software to convert documents from a word processor format to portable document format (PDF). Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer is recommended. Acrobat Writer Version 3.X, 4.X and 5.0 meet the CM/ECF filing requirements.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing PDF documents.
  • A scanner to create electronic images of documents not in the user’s word processing system.

Q. Who may file documents on CM/ECF systems?

A. Filing a document into CM/ECF requires a login and password. Each court determines to whom it will issue filing logins and passwords. At the present time, courts offering electronic filing are providing document filing access principally to attorneys, although some courts also are providing access to U.S. trustees and bankruptcy case trustees. Some courts are permitting bankruptcy claimants to file electronically.


Q. Do documents that will be filed on CM/ECF systems need to be in a particular format?

A. CM/ECF systems are designed to accept only documents in PDF format. This format was chosen because it allows a document to retain its pagination, formatting, and fonts no matter what type of computer is used to view or print the document. Adobe developed the format, and offers software that allows the conversion of documents created in most word processing systems into PDF. This software is recommended. Several word processing and other programs contain features that convert documents created in those programs into PDF.


Q. Are there fees associated with CM/ECF?

A. There are no added fees for filing documents over the Internet using CM/ECF, although existing court document filing fees do apply. Electronic access to individual case docket sheets and filed documents is available through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) program. Litigants and their attorneys, including pro se litigants, receive one free copy of documents filed electronically in their cases; additional copies are available to parties and attorneys and to the general public for viewing or downloading at the current PACER cost of seven cents per page. No fee is owed under this provision until an account holder accrues charges of more than $10 in a calendar year. There is a 30-page ($2.10) cap on documents, excluding transcripts. Directed by Congress to fund electronic access through user fees, the Judiciary has set the fee at the lowest possible level sufficient to recoup program costs.


Q. Who may view documents on CM/ECF systems?

A. Subject to court orders in individual cases, policy, or other individual court limitations, the public may view dockets and documents in CM/ECF systems through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) program. PACER logins are available to the public at: http://www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/register.html.

 
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