Effective February 2, 2009, optional electronic filing became available in the Oregon Court of Appeals. Electronic filing is also available in the Oregon Supreme Court.

Filing documents in the Oregon appellate courts is controlled by Rule 16 of the 2009 edition of the Oregon Rule of Appellate Procedure. Currently, only members of the Oregon State Bar may file documents electronically.

Attorneys who register with Oregon's electronic filing system and undergo training may file documents and pay filing fees electronically. Eventually, the e-filing system will also allow for access to court documents. The system is designed to further Oregon's Judicial System's goals of providing access to justice, producing quality work products, and processing cases in an efficient and timely manner. Benefits of the system include:

• A reduction of paper files and the problems, such as loss or destruction, associated with them.
• Cost savings associated with reproduction, courier and postage fees.
• Convenience and security in filing documents (no more long lines near closing time at the Post Office).
• The ability to file documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location with Internet access, up to a minute before midnight on the filing deadline.
• The ability to use hyperlinks within documents. See ORAP 16.50. Registration and Training

Attorneys must be members of the Oregon State Bar, be authorized to practice law, and have a valid email address on file with the State Bar. To register and complete an on-line tutorial, go to the Oregon Judicial Department's Website and follow the prompts for e- filing. The tutorial will provide an overview of the e-file system, and overview of applicable rules of procedure, will demonstrate how to file an initiating document in a new case and how to file documents in an already-existing case.

Formatting

Documents must be filed in pdf format. Documents must be searchable and must include the ability to cut and paste text. ORAP 16.15(1). Documents must continue to conform to the usual formatting requirements of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. If the party wishes to submit oversized exhibits, she may do so by conventional methods, within three business days of e-filing. ORAP 16.30(1).

Electronic Signatures

A username and password constitute a filer's signature for e-filing purposes. In addition, documents must contain a signature box such as "s/John Smith," followed by the attorney's name, bar number and party designation, e.g. Attorney for Petitioner. ORAP 16.40(2).

Confidentiality

A party that files a document containing protected personal information may file a redacted version electronically and then conventionally filing the original version within three business days. ORAP 16.60(2).

Additional Resources

For further information on Oregon Appellate Court e-filing, email appellateORecourt@ojd.state.or.us.

	Giers Olsson PC 1430 Willamette St. #562 Eugene, Oregon 97401-4049 Tel: 541.683.6528

Find out more from Giers Olsson PC

Appellate work is very specialized. The attorneys at Giers Olsson PC have been involved in many appeals over the course of nearly 20 years. If you are dealing with uncertainties regarding an appeal, give us a call. We offer a free initial telephone consultation for clients and trial attorneys seeking assistance with an appeal. Let us help you develop the best possibility of success on appeal.

Disclaimer

The articles available from Giers Olsson PC are intended to raise important issues for those involved in judicial appeals and to help steer clients and attorneys to those resources that will answer their questions. Our articles are not legal advice and should not be construed as such. If you are engaged in a judicial appeal, you should contact Giers Olsson PC or another competent lawyer to answer all questions raised by your appeal.

For additional information, please read our full disclaimer.