December 6, 2005

To:  All Attorneys Who Practice Before this Court

Subject: All Attorneys Must File Electronically - Effective January 1, 2006

Approximately eight months ago, I wrote to all attorneys practicing in the District expressing a strong preference that all filings be made electronically. The United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has permitted attorneys to file documents electronically for ten years. Originally, the Court strongly encouraged electronic filing but it soon became an expectation of the Court. The electronic filing program has proven to be an overwhelming success saving time and money for both the parties and the Court.

Effective January 1, 2006, all attorneys will be required to file electronically pursuant to modifications to Local Civil Rule 5.1(c) and Local Criminal Rule 49.2(c) which will take effect at that time. The modified rules will state:

(c) The Court requires attorneys to receive notice of filings electronically and to file documents electronically, absent a showing of good cause, unless otherwise excused by the rules, procedures or Orders of the Court. While parties and pro se litigants may register to receive “read only” electronic filing accounts so that they may access documents in the system and receive electronic notice, only registered attorneys, as Officers of the Court, will be permitted to file electronically.

Effective Janaury 1, 2006, any request to file any pleading on paper (except an original complaint or document otherwise excused by the rules, procedures or Orders of the Court) shall be preceded by a written motion, a showing of cause to permit filing to occur other than electronically, and approval of the Judge to whom the case is assigned.

Electronic filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is governed by the Court’s Electronic Filing Policy and Procedures Manual, which is available on the Court’s web site (www.ohnd.uscourts.gov) and as an attachment to the Local Rules. Electronic filing registration forms, training materials and tutorials are also available on the web site.

Attorneys and law firm staff can arrange to receive electronic filing training by calling the Clerk’s Office at:

Cleveland: 216-357-7007
Akron: 330-252-6015
Toledo:  419-213-5500
Youngstown: 330-884-7419

Sincerely yours,

James G. Carr
Chief Judge

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