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FAQs: CM_ECF

FAQ: Mediation Advocacy Program

Select a frequently asked question category on the left or search for a FAQ using the "Search this Site" box above.

 

  • I want to receive emails on a case where I represent a party, how do I add my email address to the case?

     

    During the first electronic filing an attorney makes after receiving a login and password, ECF may note that it does not have a link between the filing attorney and the filing party. ECF will, at this point, allow counsel to make the link.
    Making a link between counsel and a party to a case will add counsel’s name and address to the front of the docket sheet.
     
    NOTE: Some events will not give counsel the option of linking themselves to a party. In these instances, you must file a Notice of Appearance. The filing of a notice of Appearance will not only link your name to specific parties but will add your appearance to the docket sheet enabling you to receive e-mails when electronicfilings are made, either by the Court or counsel
  • If an attorney who is on a case is no longer with our firm, how can we remove the attorney from the case?

    Please refer to local rule 1.4.

  • If CM/ECF is down and I cannot file something that is time sensitive, is there a provision for delayed filings?

    Please refer to Administrative Order 97-12,  section 10.

  • Is ECF filing mandatory?

    Yes, as of August 2, 2004, electronic case filing is mandatory for all civil cases other than pro se cases and for all criminal cases.

  • My attorney was admitted pro hac vice in a matter, however the attorney does not appear to be included in notices. How can I resolve this?

    Please have the attorney file a Notice of Appearance using their ecf login and password.

  • What are the appropriate settings for my scanner when preparing a document for filing on CM/ECF?

    Scanned documents filed via CM/ECF must meet NARA Acceptable Image Quality Specifications:

    Scanned images of textual records transferred to NARA must meet the following minimum requirements for scanning resolution and pixel (bit) depth to support archival preservation and continued use.

    Bitonal (1-bit) scanned at 300-600 ppi.
    This is appropriate for documents that consist exclusively of clean printed type possessing high inherent contrast (e.g., laser printed or typeset on a white background). Scanning at 600 ppi is recommended.
     
    Gray scale (8-bit) scanned at 300-400 ppi.
    This is appropriate for textual documents of poor legibility because of low inherent  contrast, staining or fading (e.g., carbon copies, thermofax, or documents with handwritten annotations or other markings), or that contain halftone illustrations or
    photographs. Scanning at 400 ppi is recommended.
     
    Color (24-bit RGB [Red, Green, Blue]) scanned at 300-400 ppi.
    Color mode (if technically available) is appropriate for text containing color information important to interpretation or content. Scanning at 400 ppi is recommended.

    If your document was created using a word processor, then it should be printed to pdf. Do not print, scan and pdf your document. Your ecf login and password is your signature. Please refer to page 4 of the ecf user guide for more information. 

  • What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document contains code which may cause an external action such as launching an application. This PDF document cannot be accepted.

    If your PDF contains any password security, it will not be accepted. All PDF documents which include embedded JavaScript that use the OpenAction syntax will be rejected. Some petition preparation software contains JavaScript to perform calculations which uses OpenAction syntax. If your PDF is rejected, please contact your PDF software vendor or petition preparation vendor and speak with them regarding the use of JavaScript OpenAction syntax. OpenAction JavaScript commands can be used to track those who view a PDF and to install malware and viruses.

  • What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document is not a well-formed PDF document (no further information is available.

    This usually means that there is a typo in the pathname of the pdf. Use the Browse button rather than manually entering the location of the pdf.

  • What does this message mean? NOTICE: If you are not prompted for a pdf, you did not something wrong. Please do not continue with the transaction. If you are prompted for a pdf, then please continue with the transaction....

    The message below is informational. On utility events that create a restriction require that a primary event is also selected.

    NOTICE:
    If you are not prompted for a pdf, you did not something wrong. Please do not continue with the transaction.
    If you are prompted for a pdf, then please continue with the transaction.

    I.E
    If you only select the event
    1 - Exparte Docket Entry AND Document - to be used ONLY in conjunction with primary event selection, you will not be prompted for a pdf and your docket entry will be incomplete.

    If you select
    1 - Exparte Docket Entry AND Document - to be used ONLY in conjunction with primary event selection and Letter, you will be prompted for a pdf and your docket entry will be complete.

     

     

  • What event do I use for a Letter Motion?

    Select the appropriate motion event, then prompted, then on the docket text screen select the pre-text (Letter) from the pull down list.

  • What format are party names entered in NYED cm/ecf?

    Add parties using upper and lower case letters to input names (i.e., “Jane Doe” or “XYZ Corporation”). DO NOT USE ALL CAPS

  • What if I am not able to comply with the Judges ECF mandate for my case?

    As of August 2, 2004, electronic case filing is mandatory for all civil cases and all criminal cases.

  • What is the difference between events Sealed Docket Entry AND Document and Sealed Document?

    The selection of 1 - Sealed Docket Entry AND Document - to be used ONLY in conjunction with other selection will seal the docket entry, the document, and prevent a NEF from being generated to counsel and case participants.

    The selection of 1 - Sealed Document - to be used ONLY in conjunction with other selection will make the docket text for the entry a public event and will generate a NEF to all counsel and case participants. If the disclosure of the docket text should not be public please use 1 - Sealed Docket Entry AND Document - to be used ONLY in conjunction with other selection.

  • When I receive a NEF on a consolidated case, am I only getting one free look when I click on a document number. Should I be getting a free look on the cases that I am on?

    Since the case is consolidated, you will only get one free look when you click on the document number for the first case number listed, which is the lead case number. If you click on any of the other document numbers for the member cases, you maybe charged pacer fees.

    It is suggested that you always click on the document numbe for the lead case and save/print the pdf.

     

  • When I search by Judge name for an opinion, there are only a few or none listed. Is there a problem with the website?

     

    The Eastern District of New York offers a limited database of opinions for the years 1999 to 2013, listed by year and judge.
    If you cannot locate an opinion on our website, please login to our pacer site with your pacer login and password or access the GPO FDsys website.

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