Electronic Filing in California

Courts in California have had a long-standing interest in using electronic filing as a tool to improve customer service and make more efficient use of court resources. To help foster this interest and encourage implementation of electronic filing, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) initiated the California Electronic Filing Technical Standards (CEFTS) program in 2000 to develop electronic filing standards for the judicial branch. Since 2000, courts have gained experience through different electronic filing projects across the state, and, today, a number of courts offer electronic delivery and electronic filing services for specific case types (see Court Projects for a current list).

Courts have had some success with implementing electronic filing projects, in spite of the complex technical environment in which each local court operates. Work done in one court could not be substantially replicated in another court, making it difficult for service providers to see a return on their investments and for courts to expand their systems to additional case types without reconfiguration.

Nonetheless, courts have seen some return on investment in their projects, particularly in systems that allow the public to pay traffic fines or apply for traffic school on the Web. Other courts have pursued electronic filing for targeted case types with simpler filings such as small claims. These focused projects have tended to be more sustainable and have allowed courts to see measurable results.

In October 2002, the AOC launched the Second Generation Electronic Filing Specifications project. The project's task was to create statewide specifications for electronic filing in California using XML Schema technology and on that foundation to build a new generation of specifications. These efforts have helped courts overcome technological limitations by creating a standardized framework for communications.

Second Generation Electronic Filing Specifications

The specifications developed through the Second Generation Electronic Filing Specifications project are intended to allow any California court to receive and respond to electronic filings from any compliant provider of e-filing services by means of XML technology. Using these specifications and the standardized XML Scheme framework, courts will be able to pass information more accurately and reliably and thus more easily overcome the obstacles caused by complex technological environments. To review the 2GEFS Schema Repository, click the Schema Repository link in the left-hand navigation bar.

California Rules of Court on Electronic Filing and Service

In 2003, the Judicial Council adopted California rules of court on electronic filing (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 2050-2060). These rules outline courts' roles and responsibilities in employing electronic filing as well as authorize courts to mandate electronic filing in complex civil and consolidated cases. The rules, drafted by the Judicial Council's Court Technology Advisory Committee, define how payments of filings should be handled, allow a court to execute service electronically, and describe how a court should confirm receipt and subsequent acceptance or rejection of a filing. See Rules 2050-2060 for the complete California rules of court on electronic filing and service.

What's Next for California

Now that the specifications have been developed and tested, the AOC is developing a compliant electronic filing architecture for statewide use. This architecture, being developed as part of the California Case Management System (CCMS) project, will be compatible with the CCMS and operate out of the California Courts' Technology Center. It will also reduce costs and technological hurdles and streamline the procedures required for successful electronic filing.

Courts in California will examine the specifications when implementing electronic filing locally. Implementations in the Superior Courts of Contra Costa and San Mateo Counties, in addition to the first implementation in the Sacramento court, are under way. The AOC encourages courts considering electronic filing solutions to pursue implementations at their courts, because the specifications and the statewide electronic filing architecture have been designed to support smooth transitions for courts with compliant local implementations.

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