Tips to Ensure Docketing Success in ECF Karen Mitchell, Clerk of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Tips to Ensure Docketing Success in ECF Karen Mitchell, Clerk of Court U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

10 Ways to Help Ensure Docketing Success in ECF  Consult the Local Rules  Consult the Federal Rules  Consult the ECF Administrative Procedures  Consult Judge Specific Requirements

10 Ways to Help Ensure Docketing Success in ECF  Check the District’s web site for ECF information and training.  Have a dedicated ECF filing person in the firm.  Call the District Clerk’s Office/Help Desk for assistance.

10 Ways to Help Ensure Docketing Success in ECF  Contact the Clerk’s Office to correct filing errors. Do not attempt to re- file.  Limit document file size in ECF to 10 megabytes (10 MB).  Start preparing your filing early in the day.

Common ECF Mistakes  Parties and attorneys added incorrectly at case opening ◦ How we addressed: Critical reminders and sample screen shot added to party addition screen in ECF

Common ECF Mistakes  Attorneys linked to incorrect parties ◦ How we addressed: Enhanced message to filer to help ensure the correct attorney/party association is made at the time a document is filed

Common ECF Mistakes  Incorrect party/defendant selection at document filing ◦ How we addressed:  CIVIL: Enhanced message to direct filer to make multiple selections for a joint filing

Common ECF Mistakes  Incorrect party/defendant selection at document filing ◦ How we addressed:  CRIMINAL: Added defendant confirmation to help ensure only the applicable defendant is selected (started with this functionality in sealed and ex parte events and adding to all other CR events in phases)

Impact – Accuracy Rate Continues to Improve  CY 2008 – 77.24%  CY 2009 – 80.64%  CY 2010 – 86.61%  CY 2011 – 86.93%  CY 2012 – 88.82%  CY 2013 – 90.23%  CY 2014 – 91.66%

Important Tips and Reminders  Ensure you have a signature block on your document that complies with Form 2 of the FED. R. CIV. P and local rules.  Include a cover sheet with new case filings.  Include a brief, certificate of service/conference with your filing as required by the local rules.

Important Tips and Reminders  Verify you are filing in the correct case number.  Use the “Search” feature on the main menu to find the appropriate title that matches the document you are filing.  Right-click and open the PDF on the “browse and attach screen” prior to attaching to the entry.

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UTILITIES