CM/ECF Frequently Asked Questions
What is CM/ECF?
ANSWER: CM/ECF -- the Case Management/Electronic Case Files project --
is a joint project of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the
federal courts to replace existing case management systems with a new
system based on current technology, new software, and increased
functionality. This new system will give federal courts the ability to maintain
electronic case files and offer electronic filing of court documents over the
Internet through the PACER system.
What does CM/ECF provide for attorneys and the public?
ANSWER: CM/ECF offers a number of benefits for attorneys and the public:
• Case information, including the docket sheet and the filed
documents, is available for viewing and downloading to
attorneys and the public at any time from locations other than
the courthouse, via the Internet.
• Parties, the judge, court staff and the public can review the
case file simultaneously.
• At the court's option, registered attorneys can file case
documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over the Internet,
with no additional filing fees. Attorneys can file case documents
from their offices or homes right up to the filing deadline,
without worrying about postage, messenger services or traffic
congestion.
• Attorneys filing over the Internet automatically create docket
entries, and docket sheets are updated immediately when
documents are filed.
• An automatic verification, in the form of a "Notice of Electronic
Filing," is sent by e-mail to the filer immediately after filing.
• Parties to litigation can receive immediate notice by e-mail of
activity in their cases.
• Since CM/ECF uses Internet standard software, the
out-of-pocket cost of participation for attorneys is typically
very low.
Is CM/ECF currently available?
ANSWER: The CM/ECF system for bankruptcy courts is being implemented
nationally over a two-to-three year period starting March 2001. The district
court CM/ECF system began to roll out nationally in May 2002. The CM/ECF
system for appellate courts is expected to be ready for use mid-2003.
CM/ECF is currently in use in forty-two courts. More than 2 million cases with
more than 8 million documents are on CM/ECF systems. And nearly 15,000
attorneys and others are filing documents electronically.
Will all federal courts offer electronic filing?
ANSWER: The use of CM/ECF's electronic filing capabilities is at each
individual court's option. Many of the courts that have implemented or are in
the process of implementing CM/ECF have chosen to offer electronic filing.
For information about whether your local court will be offering electronic
filing, contact your local court.
What hardware and software are needed to file documents in CM/ECF
systems?
ANSWER: Filers will need the following hardware and software to file
documents in the CM/ECF electronic filing system:
• A personal computer running a standard platform such as
Windows or Macintosh.
• A PDF-compatible word processor like Macintosh or
Windows-based versions of WordPerfect or Word.
• Internet service.
• Netscape Navigator version 4.6 or 4.7. (Netscape 6 is not
recommended for use with CM/ECF.) The newest vesion of the
CM/ECF system for bankruptcy courts has been certified to be
compatible with Internet Explorer 5.5. District court systems are
currently being tested to certify compatibility.
• 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
adequately meet the CM/ECF filing requirements.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free, is needed
for viewing PDF documents.
• A scanner may be necessary to create electronic images of
documents that are not in your word processing system.
Who may file documents on CM/ECF systems?
ANSWER: Filing a document into CM/ECF requires a login and password.
Each court determines for itself 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 are
also providing access to U.S. Trustees and bankruptcy case trustees. A few
courts are permitting bankruptcy claimants to file electronically.
Who may view documents on CM/ECF systems?
ANSWER: 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
Do documents that will be filed on CM/ECF systems need to be in a
particular format?
ANSWER: 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. It is also an open standard format. Adobe
developed the format, and offers software that allows 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.
Are there fees associated with CM/ECF?
ANSWER: 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.
How will users learn how to file documents in CM/ECF systems?
ANSWER: Each court that offers electronic filing will provide training. Filing
documents in CM/ECF is easy; a minimal amount of training is generally all
that is needed. Many courts also have developed user manuals for attorneys
and other users, which are available on their Web sites. A set of training
modules is also available here.
Are there procedural rules relating to electronic filing?
ANSWER: Most courts that offer electronic filing have issued an authorizing local
rule; most have supplemented the local rule with a general order and/or
procedures that set forth the relevant procedures governing electronic filing
in that court. Individual court rules and procedures are generally available on
their Web sites.
This page was last updated: June 18, 2004
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