Expanding Electronic Filing in the Courts.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | November 6, 2010

No. 525

Electronic filing of pleadings has been successfully implemented in State and Federal Courts.  Now it is time to consider going further.

Why not permit electronic filing of briefs and reproduced records in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts?  It costs several hundred dollars to copy and mail the typical reproduced record and multiple copies of briefs. Electronic briefs are not only faster and cheaper to produce, but could be easily edited to create links to cited cases or portions of the electronic record.

Why not permit electronic submission of uncontested motions in Common Pleas Court?  They could be routed through the Court’s website, to keep track. If the Court has questions, they can be sent to counsel (with cc to opposing counsel) by email. The motions would be due by 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM, the same as always, and late motions would wait in the uncontested motions electronic file until the next time motions are due. After electronic signature, the orders would be filed electronically with the Department of Court Records.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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