The Case Management/Electronic Case Files initiative (CM/ECF) is a project of the federal courts for the development of the next generation of case management software. Case management software enables a clerk's office to keep track of filed documents and to automate such functions as noticing, setting hearings, managing deadlines and tracking fees. The Court's Electronic Case Filing software permits members of the public, using standard Internet technology, to view and copy pleadings and other documents in cases filed in the CM/ECF system.

CM/ECF's most innovative features include;

Electronic Access:
A key feature of the CM/ECF system is that it provides unprecedented access to up-to-the-second docket sheets as well as to the documents themselves over the Internet through the Court’s electronic filing web site.

Electronic Filing:
Another key feature of the CM/ECF system is that it accepts documents filed electronically over the Internet. While it is not necessary that documents be filed electronically to have them entered into the CM/ECF system, electronic filing is strongly encouraged by the Court.

Electronic Noticing:
A third key feature of the CM/ECF system is that it provides immediate e-mail notices to all counsel involved in a case whenever a document is filed. To receive electronic notice of filings, attorneys must be registered to file electronically and must have the e-mail noticing feature of their Court account turned on.

Benefits include;

Savings in time and expenditure for attorney, reducing costly courier services and postage.

Registered attorneys are able to file documents with the court 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Full case information is available immediately to attorneys, parties, and the   general public through the Internet, including the ability to view the full text   of all filed documents

No waiting in line or unavailable files at courthouse.

Ease of use - based on standard Internet technology.

Substantially reduces paper handling and document processing time.

Case management information and notice of filing is transmitted to   designated case participants via email.

View a multimedia presentation The Attorney's Perspective. Recommendation for best viewing with slower internet connection:  Download the file first by right-clicking on the link above, then select "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As...,"  then view the video file on your own PC.

Requirements:

To access documents filed in the CM/ECF system you will need;

A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh.

Internet access

National Registration with PACERNET

Netscape Navigator 4.6 or 4.7, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher browser

Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher

Filing documents into the CM/ECF system requires the following hardware & software;

A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh.

Word Processor software

PDF-conversion software such as Adobe Acrobat

Internet access

Netscape Navigator 4.6 or Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher browser

Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) to view PDF documents

A scanner may be necessary to create electronic images of documents not on your   computer

National Registration with PACERNET for access to electronically filed cases.

Local court assigned account and password assignment to open and file cases.

How it works

          The electronic case files system accepts documents in a portable document format (PDF). PDF retains the way a document looks, so the pages, fonts and other formatting are preserved. Filing a document with the court's CM/ECF system is quite easy:

Create the document using word processing software.

Save the document in PDF format.

Log onto the court's CM/ECF system, using a court-issued login and password.

Follow the set of simple prompts to provide information about the case, party and document to be filed.

Attach the PDF document and submit it to the court for filing (by pressing a submit button).

Save or print the CM/ECF electronic receipt emailed from the court confirming that the document was filed.