E-Filing

This information is based upon the procedure for electronic filing of

court documents in the Montgomery County, Ohio Common

Pleas Court.

First things first. . .

oYou need to contact the system administrator and register your organization (firm) and individual accounts.

oEach username MUST be affiliated with an organization – even if the organization is only affiliated with a single username.

What’s in a username?

oIt is affiliated with your “organization”.

oIt is connected with your Bar information:oBar number.

oBar state.

oIt is connected to your contact information:oPhone number.

oE-mail.

oAddress

oAlternate phone/e-mail (paralegal).

Action without interaction.

oCreate a new complaint, pleading, motion, etc.

oSave it as a PDF formatted document.

oLog on to the electronic filing system.

oSelect a “New Case” from the home page.

oSelect the Jurisdiction and Case Type (i.e. Civil).

oCase type determines the next steps.

Initiate action.

oThe File Reference Number is a number you create – can be assigned to identify client, case, CMS number.

oWould you like a jury with that?

oHow large of a check are you requesting?

oAction type.

oIdentify like issues and precedents.

oAdd.

Who is ‘complaining’?

o“Add My Parties”:

oPlaintiffs first, of course.

oName.

oAddress.

oPhone/E-mail.

oCounsel.

oAliases (i.e. d/b/a).

oSave.

Who else is invited?

oDefendants – “Add other Parties”.

oSame information as for Plaintiffs.

Paperless trial.

oFiling forms (i.e. Complaint).

oAction type will determine if any documents are required.

oAll general actions will require a document type “Complaint”.

oUpload.

Review and submit

oEnter payment method if different from associated with username.

oShows charges related to filings.

oShows documents associated with filing.

oOpportunity to add special instructions for the Clerk.

Filing to an existing case.

oLog on.

oEnter case number and parties last name.

oAdd files as explained before.

oReview and submit as before.

Control.

oElectronic filing allows you to review and control your caseload on one screen.

oYou can view pending cases, delete closed cases, drill down on individual case dockets.

oCommand what notifications you receive relating to your cases.

oCheck status of documents in real time.

oSave documents/processes as drafts and return at any time to complete.

The downside.

oConvenience fees.oThey mandate the convenience and then

charge you for it. . .how convenient.

oYou still have to go to the courthouse to for trial.

oYou still have to interact with the Clerks to resolve issues with the filings.

oIn addition to doing your job, you’re now doing the job of the Clerks, too.