Home Frequently Asked Questions - Digital Filing

Answers to these frequently asked questions are general and are not intended to provide legal assistance. Please consult the Court's Rules and applicable statutory provisions in preparing papers and digital format submissions.

Q: I represent an indigent client, am I required to submit briefs and record material in digital format?
A: Yes, unless the Clerk grants a request to be relieved of the digital format submission requirements (see Rule 500.2[e]).

Q: Am I required to e-mail my brief and record material to the Clerk's office?
A: No. The briefs and record material must be submitted on Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD). The CD or DVD shall be finalized and not rewriteable.

Q: What is the required digital format for briefs and record material?
A: Each brief must be in text searchable portable document file (PDF) format. Lower court briefs and record material submitted pursuant to section 500.11(k) of the Rules must be in portable document file (PDF) format, but need not be text searchable. Record material must be in portable document file (PDF) format, but need not be text searchable.

Q: I don't know how to convert my documents to PDF format. Will the Clerk's office convert the documents for me?
A: No. Free software is available to convert word-processed documents to PDF format.

Q: How do I serve the digital format documents on my adversary?
A: The Court's Rules do not require service of a PDF version of the briefs and record on each other party. However, parties may agree amongst themselves to provide PDF briefs and records to each other, in any mutually-agreeable fashion, including by e-mail.

Q: Should the CD/DVD be labeled?
A: Yes. The CD or DVD shall be labeled with the title of the action, the name of the party on whose behalf the CD or DVD is filed and, if the party is represented by counsel, the name of counsel. The CD or DVD shall also be labeled with a description of the PDF files contained therein. For example: Smith v Jones
Appellant Smith
Joe Black, Esq.
brief & record (four volumes)

Q: How do I name the briefs and record material when I save them on the CD/DVD?
A: The Clerk's office will provide the parties with naming conventions for the briefs and record material. The naming conventions used by the Clerk's office can be found here.