TexasOnline e-Filing Overview eFiling 101: Upcoming Changes and Important Operational Dates Austin, Texas August 19 , 2

1. TexasOnline e-Filing OvervieweFiling 101: Upcoming Changes and Important Operational Dates Austin, TexasAugust 19, 2008

2. Agenda Why do We Need e-Filing? Texas e-Filing – The History The TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Texas e-Filing Rules Participating Counties and Courts Frequently Asked Questions Question and Answer

3. Why Do We Need e-Filing? The Problem: Paper process is not efficient. • For decades, courts have used a traditional paper-based process • Attorneys submit documentation using paper hard copy. • Filings are delivered via mail, certified mail, courier, or in person. • Clerks use paper to notify attorneys of filing acceptance. • Attorneys and clerks must physically store all paper filings. The Impact? 85% of surveyed judges say the volume of paper is an increasing problem.

4. Attorney prepares document electronically. Texas e-Filing Environment There is a Better Way… Attorney submits filing electronically via the Internet. Filing can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location with Internet access. Clerk reviews and accepts document electronically. Filer is notified via the Internet. Court files are updated.

5. Texas e-Filing: The History • Two counties pioneered e-Filing in Texas • Jefferson—1995 • Montgomery—1997 • Selected civil cases in district courts • Contracted with LawPlus

6. 1 2 A B C D E Texas e-Filing: The History Clerks Attorneys In the beginning…there were attorneys and clerks.

7. 1 2 A B C D E Texas e-Filing: The History Clerks Attorneys Attorneys needed to file documents with the clerks…lots of documents.

8. 1 2 A B C D E X Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs* Clerks Attorneys *EFSPs: Electronic Filing Service Providers

9. 1 2 A B C D E X Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Attorneys Counties contracted with a service provider (LawPlus).

10. 1 2 A B C D E X Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Attorneys Attorneys contracted with the service provider (LawPlus).

11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 X Y Z Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Other counties may contract with other providers.

12. 6 5 1 2 3 4 E C D A B X Y Z Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Attorneys Attorney may contract with different service providers to file in different counties.

13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 X Y Z Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Simple model for counties…

14. 1 6 5 4 2 3 E C D A B X Z Y Texas e-Filing: The History EFSPs Clerks Attorneys ? Complex model for attorneys…multiple accounts and standards.

15. Texas e-Filing: The History • Lessons Learned…First Two Counties • e-Filing works • Single service provider model is… • Good for counties X Less good for attorneys • Need statewide standards

16. Texas e-Filing: The History JCIT e-Filing Charge § 77.031, Texas Government Code: The (Judicial Committee on Information Technology) shall…develop minimum standards for an electronically based document system to provide for the flow of information within the judicial system in electronic form and recommend rules relating to the electronic filing of documents with courts;

17. Texas e-Filing • JCIT’s Intent • Statewide technical standards and rules • Open competition for service providers • Single, standard statewide portal (EFM): = TexasOnline

18. TexasOnline e-Filing Solution • TexasOnline • Official website of the State of Texas www.texasonline.com

20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A B C D E TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Clerks Attorneys Same players as before…

21. EFSPs 3 1 2 4 5 6 E D C B A Z Y X TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Clerks Attorneys Same players as before…but now in addition to service providers…

22. EFSPs 4 1 2 3 5 6 E C D A B Z X Y TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFM Clerks Attorneys …we add eFiling for Courts, the state’s electronic filing manager (EFM) or “post office.”

23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFM Clerks Clerks connect to eFiling for Courts.

24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 X Y Z TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFSPs EFM Clerks Service providers connect to eFiling for Courts.

25. A B C D E X Y Z TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFSPs Attorneys Attorney chooses a single service provider.

26. A B C D E X Y Z TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFSPs Attorneys Attorneys choose a single service provider.

27. 1 6 2 3 4 5 D C E A B Z Y X TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFSPs EFM Clerks Attorneys eFiling for Courts serves clerks and service providers as the “post office.”

28. 4 6 5 1 2 3 Hart Ody Max Vista TSG Local DMS CMS CMS CMS DMS DMS B C A E D X Z Y TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution EFSPs EFM Clerks Attorneys XML pdf Standard XML metadata for management system import.

29. 2 1 3 4 5 6 A B C D E X Z Y e-Service of copies TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Electronic Service of Copies EFSPs EFM Clerks Attorneys Attorneys can electronically serve copies on opposing counsel at the same time that they e-file with the court.

30. 2 1 3 4 5 6 A B C D E X Z Y eServicePlus TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Electronic Service of Discovery: eServicePlus EFSPs EFM Clerks Attorneys Attorneys can electronically serve opposing counsel with discovery requests, disclosures, responses, and notices that are not filed with the court.

31. 3 1 2 4 5 6 A B C D E Y Z X Orders, notices, settings TexasOnline TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Electronic Service of Orders and Notices EFSPs EFM Clerks Attorneys Judges can issue orders, notices, and settings to parties electronically.

32. TexasOnline e-Filing Solution TexasOnline Features • Secure filer authentication • Court fee and filing information online • File-stamped copy to filer • Data kept private and not sold

33. TexasOnline e-Filing Solution TexasOnline e-Filing Process • Filer logs on to service provider • Filer enters information • Filer submits filing • Clerk reviews filing online • Clerk accepts filing • Filer receives confirmation and copy

34. Filer Accesses Account

35. Filer Enters Information • Select jurisdiction • 2. Enter case information • 3. Enter payment information • 4. Attach document(s) • 5. Submit filing

36. Filer Submits Document

37. Filer Receives Acknowledgement From: eFilingStg@texasonline.state.tx.us Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 10:24 AM To: voefiling@yahoo.com Subject: Filing Trace Number ED126J010150507 has been received by the eFiling for Courts PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL. This email acknowledges that a filing with the following information was received from the Electronic Filing Service Provider and has been transmitted successfully to eFiling for Courts: eFiling for Courts Received Date/Time: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 10:24 AM Delivered to Court: Johnson District Time Zone of Jurisdiction: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) Trace Number: ED126J010150507 Official Date/Time: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 10:24 AM Cause Number: Style/Case Name: Alien vs. Predator Title of Document: Motion for Summary Judgment.pdf Thank you, eFiling for Courts

38. Clerk Opens Inbox

39. Clerk Reviews Filing

40. Clerk Reviews Filing

41. IN THE DISTRICT COURTS OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS 250TH DISTRICT COURT Clerk Reviews Filing

42. Clerk Accepts Filing

43. Filer Receives Confirmation PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL. This e-mail serves as your receipt.FILING INFORMATIONCase/Cause Number: 8975Filing Type:       DivorceFiling Attorney:   Tran PhamClient Matter #:   444461Style/Case Name:   Hyde vs. Jekyll Sealed Indicator:  No Status:             CONFIRMATIONDate of Status:       Monday, March 05, 2007 8:49 AMCourt/Calendar:       County Court at LawFiling Trace Number:  ED027J010151580Comments:             Thanks for eFiling **Filing Status LegendConfirmation - Your filing has been reviewed and accepted by the clerk.Alert - Your filing has been reviewed and rejected by the clerk.PAYMENT INFORMATIONPayment Method:    VISA Amount:            $233.13Payment Status:    paid

44. IN THE DISTRICT COURTS OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS 250TH DISTRICT COURT FILED 19 August 2008 Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza District Clerk Travis County Filer Receives Stamped Copy

45. TexasOnline e-Filing Solution Advantages For Clerks and Courts • Possible paper and data entry reduction • No check or credit card problems • Payment guaranteed • No scanning of e-filed documents • Travis pilot: 26 minutes to DMS • Issue orders, notices, settings

46. Attorney Perspective

47. Attorney Perspective Advantages For Attorneys • Ease of 24 / 7 filing • Fee calculation on screen • File-stamped receipt • Secure payment system • Electronic service of copies • Receive orders, notices, settings

48. Attorney Perspective Advantages For Attorneys • One statewide filing standard • Save time and money • Send document as created • No printing, copying, or postage • No courier, or runner, or self-delivery • Less stress and chaos

49. Attorney Perspective Advantages For Attorneys • Manual Filing Preparation Steps vs. e-Filing Steps • Estimated staff time, manual: 106 minutes • Estimated staff time, e-filing: 23 minutes • Worth noting… • A paralegal submitted 40 e-filings in two hours • A paralegal received filestamped copy in 26 seconds • Filings available to Judge in less than 30 minutes vs. 13 hours

50. Texas e-Filing Rules