About CM/ECF

CASE MANAGEMENT/ELECTRONIC CASE FILES (CM/ECF)
JUNE 2002

                        The federal judiciary is now well underway with the nationwide
                        implementation of its new Case Management/Electronic Case Files
                        (CM/ECF) systems. CM/ECF not only replaces the courts' aging electronic
                        docketing and case management systems, but also provides courts the
                        capability to have case file documents in electronic format, and to
                        accept filings over the Internet if they choose to do so.

                        CM/ECF systems are now in use in nine district courts, thirty-four
                        bankruptcy courts, and the Court of International Trade. Most of these
                        district courts and more than half of these bankruptcy courts are already
                        accepting electronic filings. More than 2 million cases with more than 8
                        million documents are on CM/ECF systems. And nearly 15,000 attorneys
                        and others have filed documents over the Internet. Under current plans,
                        the number of CM/ECF courts will increase steadily each month into 2005.
                        Each court goes through an implementation process that takes about 10
                        months, and each month four to five additional courts complete the
                        process. Attorneys practicing in courts offering the electronic filing
                        capability are able to file documents directly with the court over the
                        Internet.

                        The CM/ECF system uses standard computer hardware, an Internet
                        connection and a browser, and accepts documents in Portable Document
                        Format (PDF). The system is easy to use – filers prepare a document
                        using conventional word processing software, then save it as a PDF file.
                        After logging onto the court's web site with a court-issued password, the
                        filer fills out several screens with basic information relating to the case,
                        party and document being filed, attaches the document, and submits it
                        to the court. A notice verifying court receipt of the filing is generated
                        automatically. Other parties in the case then automatically receive e-mail
                        notification of the filing.

                        CM/ECF also provides courts the ability to make their documents available
                        to the public over the Internet. The Judicial Conference has recently
                        adopted a set of recommendations relating to privacy and public access
                        to electronic case files. As part of the process to develop these
                        recommendations, public comment was sought on a number of possible
                        approaches. The Judicial Conference's Committee on Court Administration
                        and Case Management is now beginning to address the schedule for
                        implementing the recommendations.

                        There are no added fees for filing documents over the Internet using
                        CM/ECF; existing document filing fees do apply. Electronic access to
                        court data is available through the Public Access to Court Electronic
                        Records (PACER) program.

                        The national roll-out of the CM/ECF system for bankruptcy courts started
                        in March 2001, and is scheduled to take two to three years. The CM/ECF
                        system for district courts began to roll out nationally in May 2002. The
                        CM/ECF system for appellate courts is expected to be ready for use
                        during the late summer of 2003.

                        For more information on CM/ECF, please contact: Karen Redmond, Office
                        of Public Affairs (202) 502-2600
 

Courts Currently Operational on CM/ECF
*Courts Accepting Electronic Filing
 

Courts Currently in the Process of Implementing CM/ECF
 

Courts Scheduled to Begin Implementation in the Next Four Months

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