Knox County Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations Division Electronic Filing Rules

CRITICAL

Pro se parties in foreclosure cases are exempt from mandatory electronic filing.

For pro se parties in foreclosure cases, they shall be exempted from mandatory electronic filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to intervene

A non-party filing a motion to intervene in an e-file case must first request to be added to the case in the e-filing system as a non-party.

Motions to Intervene filed by a non-party in an eFile case shall be filed only after the filing party requests to be added in the e-Filing system as a non-party to the case.

CRITICAL

The listed domestic-relations filings may not be e-filed, including pro se filings unless the litigant requests e-filing registration, and the other specified restricted filings.

In Domestic Relations cases: Subpoenas, Entries of dismissal; Entries setting or Continuances of a hearing or trial date; any filings made by a person who has been deemed by a court to be a vexatious litigator; documents filed by a pro se litigant unless the pro se litigant requests an e-filing registration. If a pro se litigant chooses to file paper documents, the Clerk shall scan those documents into the electronic filing system if the case is an eFile case. ; all filings related to Civil Protection Orders; documents filed under seal; documents presented for in camera review by the Court; Notices of appeal; any filings from a Juvenile Court case;

CRITICAL

The clerk will not accept paper filings from litigants represented by counsel in mandatory eFile case types.

The clerk shall not accept or file any document in paper form in mandatory eFile case types from litigants represented by counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court document

For case types designated for electronic filing, parties must file the listed documents electronically through the court's electronic filing system.

For case types designated for electronic filing, parties shall file all pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law, deposition transcripts, transcripts of proceedings, notices, orders, or other documents electronically through the court's electronic filing system.

CRITICAL

Criminal cases in which the Knox County Public Defender represents the defendant are mandatory eFile cases.

all criminal cases in which the Knox County Public Defender appears as counsel for the Defendant

CRITICAL

Applies to

Instructions for service

When electronically filing an original complaint, third-party complaint, or pleading adding a party, the filer must also e-file instructions for service.

Upon electronically filing the original complaint, third party complaint, or any pleading that adds a new party, the filing party shall also electronically file instructions for service.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleadings or instruments

Pleadings and instruments in mandatory eFile case types must be filed electronically unless specifically excepted.

For eFile case types designated as mandatory, the court shall not accept or file any pleadings or instrument in paper form (unless specifically excepted as provided herein).

CRITICAL

A non-party ordered to respond or act in an e-file case may file a paper response with the Clerk, who must scan it into the case's e-filing system.

Non-party filers who receive an Order to respond or act in an eFile case (for example, in garnishment or attachment cases) may respond in paper format to the Clerk, and the Clerk shall scan the paper document into the eFile system in the case.

CRITICAL

Pleadings, motions, briefs, and other specified documents in designated eFile case types must be filed electronically through the court’s electronic filing system.

All pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law, deposition transcripts, transcripts of proceedings, orders, or other documents submitted in designated eFile case types shall be filed electronically through the court's electronic filing system.

CRITICAL

A forcible-entry-and-detainer case seeking restitution must begin on paper, and all parties must be served before the case is entered in the e-filing system.

Forcible entry and detainer cases requesting restitution of property shall be commenced in paper format, and service shall be obtained on all parties prior to entering the case in the eFile system;

CRITICAL

Cognovit actions must begin on paper, and the original cognovit notes must be reviewed before the Court signs the proposed judgment entries.

Cognovit actions shall be commenced in paper format, and the original cognovit notes must be reviewed prior to the Court signing the proposed cognovit judgment entries.

CRITICAL

In Civil cases: Subpoenas, Entries of dismissal; Entries setting or Continuances of a hearing or trial date; any filings made by a person who has been deemed by a court to be a vexatious litigator; documents filed by a pro se litigant unless the pro se litigant requests an e-filing registration.

In Civil cases: Subpoenas, Entries of dismissal; Entries setting or Continuances of a hearing or trial date; any filings made by a person who has been deemed by a court to be a vexatious litigator; documents filed by a pro se litigant unless the pro se litigant requests an e-filing registration.

CRITICAL

Designated representatives must use their confidential, unique identifier for electronic case documents, and each approved identifier holder is responsible for its security and use.

The court's electronic filing system shall assign the party's designated representative(s) a confidential and unique electronic identifier that must be used to file, serve, receive, review, and retrieve electronically filed pleadings, orders, and other documents filed in the assigned case. Each person to whom a unique identifier has been approved shall be responsible for the security and use of such identification.

CRITICAL

Injunctive-relief requests must begin on paper, and service must be completed or attempted on all parties under the applicable civil rules before a hearing is set or emergency relief is granted.

Injunctive relief requests shall be commenced in paper format, and service must be had or attempted on all parties in accordance with the applicable civil rules, prior to setting of any hearing or the granting of any emergency relief by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document requiring filing fee or security deposit

A document requiring a filing security deposit or fee for valid filing status must be filed and paid electronically like any other e-filed document.

Any document requiring payment of a filing security deposit or a fee to the clerk of courts in order to achieve valid filing status shall be filed and paid electronically in the same manner as any other eFile document.

CRITICAL

Parties or counsel who e-file or receive electronic service must participate in the court's electronic filing system.

Parties or counsel filing electronically or receiving electronic service of any documents filed must become participants in the court's electronic filing system.

CRITICAL

Applies to

In camera document

Documents presented in camera for a ruling on discoverability, admissibility, or another issue must be filed with the clerk in paper form.

Documents to be presented to the court in camera, solely for the purpose of obtaining a ruling on the discoverability, admissibility, or other issue regarding such documents shall be filed with the clerk of courts in paper form.

CRITICAL

The following listed filings must be submitted in the original or by verified facsimile using the conventional filing method.

and the following filings, which must be filed in the original or verified facsimile in the conventional method:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Entry

Entries submitted with motions must also be submitted as attachments by email or e-filing when applicable.

All such entries submitted shall also be submitted in Word Format via e-mail or e-filing as an attachment when applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sealed document

Documents to be filed under seal must be filed with the clerk in paper form.

However, the documents to be filed under seal shall be filed with the clerk of courts in paper form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to seal

A motion to file documents under seal must be filed electronically.

A motion to file documents under seal shall be filed and served electronically.

CRITICAL

The Clerk must scan documents submitted by exempt pro se litigants into the electronic filing system.

Thereafter, the Clerk shall scan documents presented for filing by the exempted pro se litigant to include those documents into the electronic filing system in accordance with this Administrative Order.

CRITICAL

A pro se litigant's domestic-relations filings may not be e-filed unless the litigant requests e-filing registration.

documents filed by a pro se litigant unless the pro se litigant requests an e-filing registration.

CRITICAL

When a case type or filing is designated for e-filing, parties or counsel must promptly handle the case documents electronically unless exempt.

Upon the designation of any particular case type as an eFile case or filing, the parties (unless exempted as provided herein) or their counsel shall promptly take steps to file, serve, receive, review, and retrieve copies of their pleadings, notices, orders, and other documents filed in the case electronically.

CRITICAL

If a pro se litigant in a domestic-relations e-file case submits paper documents, the Clerk must scan them into the electronic filing system.

If a pro se litigant chooses to file paper documents, the Clerk shall scan those documents into the electronic filing system if the case is an eFile case.

CRITICAL

The listed filings, including subpoenas, indigent filings, dismissal entries, hearing or trial date entries, and vexatious-litigant filings, must be submitted on paper by U.S. Mail or at the Clerk's counter rather than electronically.

These are case types and filings that may not be filed electronically and shall be presented in paper form via traditional means via U.S. Mail or at the clerk's counter. These include all subpoenas in all cases, indigent filings, entries of dismissal of claims or cases, entries setting or continuances of a hearing or trial date (these will be signed manually by the Judge and filed in paper format by the court staff); any filings made by a person who has been deemed by a court to be a vexatious litigator;

CRITICAL

Parties represented by counsel must e-file documents and register to use the court's electronic filing system.

Parties represented by counsel shall eFile a document by registering to use the court's electronic filing system.

WARNING

Indigent and self-represented parties must file and serve on paper unless they petition for and receive permission to file and serve electronically.

All filings by indigent and self-represented parties (pro se) are exempt from electronic filing requirements, and their filings shall be filed and served in paper form, unless the party petitions the court, and the court allows the party, to file and serve electronically, in which case the party may do so through the court's electronic filing system.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits and other items that are not easily viewed electronically may be filed and served in paper form.

Exhibits or other items that are not easily viewed in an electronic format may be filed and served conventionally in paper form.

WARNING

After the stated paper-filing and service steps for an injunctive-relief request, the case may proceed as an e-file case unless the Court orders otherwise.

Thereafter, the case may proceed as an eFile case unless otherwise ordered by the Court;

WARNING

Filings by self-represented incarcerated individuals must be accepted in paper format.

filings made by self-represented (pro se) incarcerated individuals shall be accepted in paper format.

WARNING

A cognovit case may be entered into the e-filing system after the Court signs the judgment entry.

After the Court signs the cognovit judgment entry, the case may be entered into the e-Filing system;

INFO

Complaints, pleadings, and other documents may be filed electronically via the Internet, subject to the Administrative Order.

In conformity with the Revised Code, Civil Rule 5(E), Criminal Rule 12(B) and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, complaints, pleadings, and other documents may be filed with the clerk of court electronically via the Internet, subject to the provisions in this Administrative Order.

INFO

Domestic-relations matters and civil cases not otherwise prohibited may be submitted through the e-filing system.

These are case types and/or filings that may be submitted via the eFiling system. These are case types which are not Mandatory eFile Case Types, and include domestic relations matters and civil cases (except as prohibited in paragraph (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) below).

INFO

Electronic filings may be submitted to the Clerk at any time, including weekends.

An electronic filing may be submitted to the clerk twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.