(a) Short Title. The Administrative Procedures for Electronic Case Filing may be abbreviated and referred to as the "Administrative Procedures" or if addressed individually, as "ECF Procedure # " and are available in their current version on the Court’s website: www.ctb.uscourts.gov

(b) Definitions. "Electronic Case Filing" (ECF) refers to documents filed in electronic format.

"Conventional Filing" refers to documents filed in paper format. "Filer" refers to any entity with an approved login and password, registered for full use of the ECF system in compliance with these Administrative Procedures.

  "User" refers to any entity with an approved login and password, registered for limited use of the ECF system in compliance with ECF Procedure #2(b).

(c) Electronic Case Filing Effective Dates. Beginning August 1, 2005, the Court will only accept documents filed in electronic format in compliance with these Administrative Procedures, unless authorized by order of the court, and as excepted in paragraph (d) below. Failure to file electronically, except as authorized in subsections (d) and (e) below, will result in the issuance of a Court’s Motion to Dismiss or Strike, and may result in the eventual dismissal or striking of the non-compliant document. Persistent non-compliance with these procedures may result in referral for disciplinary action.

(d) Conventional Filing Authorized. The following documents shall be filed conventionally:
(1) documents under seal in compliance with ECF Procedure # 8;
(2) documents filed pro se;
(3) court hearing transcripts;
(4) proofs of claim filed by entities who are neither Filers nor Users, or for which a creditor must be entered by the court;
(5) motions to proceed pro hac vice;
(6) other limited documents or filings, as ordered by the Court.

(e) Exemption from Electronic Filing. Exemption from electronic filing is available only in exceptional circumstances, and attorneys seeking an exemption must follow the instructions appended hereto in seeking such relief.

1. Eligibility for Registration as a Filer. The following persons or entities are eligible to register as Filers in the Court’s ECF system: (a) attorneys admitted to practice in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, including those admitted pro hac vice; (b) case trustees; (c) Assistant United States Trustees; (d) Assistant United States Attorneys; and (e) other entities the Court determines appropriate. In order to register as a Filer, an entity must complete a registration form (ECF Form 1 – Filer Registration or ECF Form 1a – Pro Hac Vice Filer Registration). Registration will be made in a form prescribed by the clerk and requires the Filing User's name, bar number, address, telephone number, Internet e-mail address and, in the case of an attorney, a declaration that the attorney is authorized to practice in this Court. Members of a Filer’s staff are encouraged to participate in either on-site or on-line ECF training tutorial, but will not receive a separate login and password.

2. Training for Filers. Filers will be required to complete training as required by the clerk. Applicants my choose either training on-site or through the court’s on-line ECF Training Tutorial for Filers. All applicants will be required to successfully complete the Court’s On-line Test for Filers in order to be assigned a filer login and password. Onsite training may be scheduled through the court’s website, or the clerk’s office. ON-line training may be accessed at any time. Applicants with a current and valid ECF registration and login issued by another U.S. Bankruptcy Court may, in the discretion of the clerk, be issued a login and password without completing ECF training, upon successful completion of the on-line test. If the on-line test is not satisfactorily completed, the clerk, in her discretion, may require the applicant to attend on-site training. The on-line test, and proof of current registration and valid login from the other bankruptcy court must be submitted with the Registration Form.

3. Submission of registration forms. The original signed Registration Form (1 and 1a on pages 16 and18) must be submitted to the Clerk of Court, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT 06103, ATTN: ECF Registration Desk. A paper copy of the on-line test must be submitted with the registration form. Attorneys who are acting trustees must register and will receive different logins for use as either an attorney and or a trustee.

4. Address changes. Registered Filers shall immediately notify the Court of any changes in the Filer’s e-mail address.

1. Eligibility to register as User. Except as provided in ECF Procedure 1(d)("Conventional Filing Authorized"), the following persons or entities are eligible to register as Users in the Court’s ECF system: Any entity, including entities who file proofs of claim and/or requests for notice but are not appearing as parties in the case. In order to register as a User, an entity must complete a registration form (ECF Form 2). Users shall consult the court’s "CM/ECF Users Manual" (available on the court’s Internet site) for instructional material on how to file proofs of claim, requests for notice, etc.

2. Training for Users. Users will be required to complete the court’s on-line ECF training tutorial for Users and successfully complete on-line test for Users in order to be assigned a User login and password. The original signed User registration form (ECF Form 2, on page 20) and a complete copy of the on-line test, must be submitted to the Clerk of Court, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT 06103, ATTN: ECF Registration Desk. Registered Users shall immediately notify the Court of any changes in the User’s email address.

(c) Suspension or Revocation of Use. The Court may, for cause, enter an order suspending or revoking a Filer’s or User’s access to the ECF system. Further, the clerk, upon information received, which indicates potential risk or harm to the ECF system may, without prior notice, temporarily suspend participation in ECF system by any Filer or User, and shall provide prompt notification of such action to the Filer or User. In the event of suspension or revocation the Filer or User will be required to correct any condition that led to the suspension or revocation, and may be required to attend training classes in order to have access to the system restored.

(a) Login and Password. Once the registration and training are complete for the Filer or User, the Court will send an email message notifying the Filer or User of the login and password assigned. The email message ensures that the Filer or User has a properly functioning email address which will be used by the Court’s ECF system.

(b) Password Security. Every Filer or User is required to protect the security of the assigned password. If there is any reason to believe the security of the assigned password may have been compromised, the Filer or User must immediately notify the Court’s Information Technology Department by email to CTB_ECF_Help@ctb.uscourts.gov A Filer or User may be subject to civil liability, court sanctions or other consequences for failure to take required action in connection with the security of the assigned password. Members of a Filer’s or User’s staff are encouraged to participate in either on-site or on-line ECF training, but will not receive a separate login and password; Filers or Users are responsible for the entries made by any person using that Filer’s or User’s password and login.

a) Request, waiver and consent. Registration as a Filer constitutes waiver of the right to personal service or first class mail service. Registration as a Filer also constitutes a written request for, and consent to, electronic service via receipt of a "Notice of Electronic Filing" from ECF of all filed documents, including Orders and Judgments, to which the Filer is entitled. The Notice of Electronic Filing that is automatically generated by the courts Electronic Filing System constitutes service or notice of the filed document on Filers. Parties who are not Filers must be provided notice or service of any pleading or other document electronically filed in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Local Rules.

b) Certificates of Service. Except with regard to the method of service authorized by these Procedures, the provisions of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure continue to govern the content of a certificate of service. A certificate of service must be included with all documents filed electronically, indicating that service was accomplished through the Notice of Electronic Filing for parties or counsel who are registered Filers 1 or how service was made if the party or counsel being served is not a registered Filer.

c) Personal Service Requirements Not Abrogated. Nothing contained in this procedure relieves counsel of the burden of providing personal service under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 7004, 9014 or Fed. R. Civ. P. 4.

d) Rule 9006(f). When there is a right or requirement to do some act or undertake some proceeding within a prescribed period after service, the additional three days created by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9006(f) shall apply.

1 A Registered Filers List is available on the Court’s website listing the names of parties and attorneys who will receive notice through the Notice of Electronic Filing.

(a) Filing and Entry on the Docket. Once an electronic transmission of a document is made in accordance with these administrative procedures, and has been received by the Court, the document shall be considered filed for all purposes as required by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the Local Rules of this Court and will be entered on the court docket kept by the clerk pursuant to Rule 5003.

(b) Official Record. When a document has been filed through ECF, the official record is the electronic recording of the document as stored by the Court, and the filing party is bound by the document as filed. A document filed through ECF is deemed filed at the date and time stated on the Notice of Electronic Filing from the Court. Documents filed pursuant to these procedures as a conventional paper filing will be scanned or otherwise converted to electronic format and stored in the ECF system and the electronic version will become the official record.

(c) Filing Date and Time. Filing a document electronically does not alter the filing deadline for that document. Unless otherwise ordered, filing must be completed before midnight local time where the Court is located in order to be considered timely filed that day. Conventional paper filings will be deemed filed as of the date and time they are file stamped by the clerk.

(d) Appropriate Title of ECF Documents. A Filer or User electronically filing a pleading or other document shall be responsible for designating the appropriate title for that pleading or other document by selecting among the categories provided through the ECF system.

(e) Corrections. In the event that a docket entry must be corrected, the clerk’s office will notify the Filer or User of the error and whether the error will be corrected by the clerk’s office or the filing party.

(1) Fees to be paid using Internet Credit Card Procedure. All required fees, with the exception of those listed in section (2) below, must be promptly paid via the internet credit card process. In the event that internet credit card processing is not available at the time of filing, payment must be made within 48 hours by going to the CM/ECF Utilities Menu - "Internet Payments Due".

(2) Fees to be paid by mail or at the clerk’s office. The following fees must be paid by mail, or over the counter at the clerk’s office:

a. Installment payments after the case has been filed
b. Subpoena Fee
c. Sanctions
d. Treasury (small dividends)
e. Treasury (registry funds)
f. Any replacement check for a filing fee
g. Inter-district Index fee
h. Pro hac vice fee (payable to District Court)

(a) Entry of Orders. The clerk shall enter all orders and judgments in ECF, which shall constitute entry on the docket kept by the clerk under Rules 5003 and 9021. The electronic signature of the Court or the entry of the order on the docket shall have the same force and effect as if manually signed and docketed as a conventional filing.

(b) Submission of Proposed Orders. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all proposed orders shall be submitted in WordPerfect or Word compatible format, via e-mail as set out in the Administrative Procedure Number 14 herein. The submission requirements may change from time to time, and Filers should consult these procedures, and the court’s CM/ECF website for any amendments.

(c) Notice to Filers of Orders. Immediately upon the entry of an order or judgment in a case, including an adversary proceeding, the clerk shall electronically transmit to all Filers who represent the contesting parties and to such other Filers and Users as the Court shall direct, a Notice of Electronic Filing. Electronic transmission of the Notice of Electronic Filing constitutes the notice required by Rule 9022 and service shall be deemed complete upon transmission.

(d) Notice to Others of Orders. Immediately upon the entry of an order or judgment in a case, including an adversary proceeding, the clerk or such others as the court shall direct, shall give notice to contesting parties who are neither Filers nor Users, and to such other entities as the Court shall direct, in accordance with the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.

(a) Definitions. "Electronically Generated Text" is electronic text generated by converting or printing to Portable Document Format (PDF) from the original word processing file, so that the text of the document may be electronically searched and copied. "Scanned Material" is an electronic image of text or other material in PDF format produced by a scanning or imaging process.

(b) PDF Requirements. All documents transmitted via the ECF system shall be in Electronically Generated text, in PDF format, so that the text of the document may be searched and copied, except as provided in subsection (c) below.

(c) Attachments, Exhibits and Other Documents. All attachments, exhibits and other documents not available as Electronically Generated Text (i.e., those that must be scanned) shall be transmitted to the ECF system, as Scanned Material in PDF format.

(d) Size Limitations Per Transmission. Each transmission to the ECF system shall not exceed two (2)megabytes total file size. Files which exceed two (2) megabytes shall be broken into smaller files and transmitted to the ECF system as attachments to the main document.

(a) Definition. A document may be filed under seal only upon a court order or pursuant to statute or rule.

(b) Filing Requirements. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a motion to file a document under seal shall be filed electronically. The motion shall not contain confidential or privileged information. The order authorizing the filing of a document under seal shall be filed electronically unless otherwise ordered by the court. A document ordered to be filed under seal shall be filed with the clerk in paper format and accompanied by the order authorizing the filing of a sealed document.

(c) Protection of Privacy Interests. Any entity may file a motion seeking an order limiting electronic access to or prohibiting the electronic filing of certain specifically identified materials on the grounds that such material is subject to protected privacy interests and that electronic access or electronic filing of those materials is likely to prejudice those privacy interests. If the Court determines that access should be limited or that electronic filing would unduly prejudice those privacy interests, then the materials shall be filed as ordered by the Court. Unless otherwise directed, the Court order determining access to or prohibiting the electronic filing shall be filed electronically.

(a) Retention of Original Signatures. Petitions, lists, schedules, statements, amendments, pleadings, affidavits, and other documents that must contain original signatures or that require verification under Rule 1008 or an unsworn declaration as provided in 28 U.S.C.§ 1746 shall be filed electronically by Filers and Users. The documents containing the original signature must be retained by the Filer or User who files such a pleading, document, or other matter for five (5) years after the closing of the case or proceeding. This retention does not affect or replace any other retention period required by other applicable laws or rules. Paper documents containing original signatures or verification received by the court from pro se filers, or as otherwise ordered by the court, will be retained and/or disposed of by the court pursuant to procedures as established by the director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

(b) Production of Documents. On the request of the court or other authorized entities the Filer or User must provide original documents for review.

(c) Sanctions. Failure to maintain such documents for the specified period shall subject the Filer or User to sanctions.

(a) Electronic Filing Constitutes Signature. The transmission by a Filer or User to the ECF system of any document constitutes any required signature of that Filer or User on such document. The Filer need not manually sign a transmitted document. The transmission is the equivalent of a signed paper for all purposes, including, without limitation, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, including Rule 9011, the Bankruptcy Code, and the Local Bankruptcy Rules of this Court.

(b) Electronic Filing Constitutes Certification. The transmission by a Filer or User of any document constitutes certification by the Filer or User that all persons indicated on such document have signed the document and have executed an original prior to electronic filing with the Court.

(c) Form of Electronic Signatures.
(1) Required Information for Filers and Users. A document transmitted via ECF shall include a signature block setting forth the Filer’s or User’s name, complete address, telephone number, fax number, email address, and the Filer’s federal court bar registration number and firm affiliation, if applicable, preceded by a signature line on which is typed "/s/ Name" where the Filer’s or User’s signature would otherwise appear in a signed document.

(2) Required Information for Other Entities. A document transmitted via ECF requiring or containing signatures of entities who are not Filers or Users shall either (a) show an image of such signature as it appears in the original signed document, or (b) bear the name of the signatory preceded by "/s/ Name" typed in the space where the signature would otherwise appear in a signed document, accompanied by the signature block information recited in subsection (c)(1) above. When an original signature is required, or has been executed, it must be maintained in accordance with Procedure 9(a) above.

(3) Multiple Attorney/Party Signatures. A document requiring or containing signatures of more than one entity or counsel shall contain the signature information recited in subsections (c)(1) and/or (c)(2) above.

A Filer or User whose ECF filing is made untimely as a result of technical failure may through motion seek appropriate redress from the Court. Filers and Users are responsible for consulting the court’s website to determine any scheduled system unavailability due to maintenance. Technical difficulties should be reported to the clerk’s ECF Help desk immediately. Conventional filings may be authorized by the clerk’s office in the event of recurrent or persistent ECF system failure or other technical failure, if time is of the essence.

(a) Public Access at the Court. The public may view all documents in the ECF System at no charge at the clerk’s offices in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport during regular business hours.

(b) Internet Access. Internet access to the ECF system is limited to Public Access to Court Electronic Records ("PACER") system subscribers. Filers and Users may take advantage of the "one free look"2 provided with the Notice of Electronic Filing to download documents referenced in each Notice of Electronic Filing. In accordance with the Bankruptcy Court Fee Schedule established pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1930, User fees are charged for accessing certain detailed case information. Information regarding subscribing to PACER is available on the Court’s web site at www.ctb.uscourts.gov and at the clerk’s offices.

(c) Copies And Certified Copies. Copies and certified copies of electronically filed documents may be purchased at the office of the clerk. The fee for copying and certification will be in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1930 and Judicial Conference Policy.

2The one free look is available for fifteen (15) days from the date the document was entered on the docket.

In compliance with the policy of the Judicial Conference of the United States, and the EGovernment Act of 2002, and in order to promote electronic access to case files while also protecting personal privacy and other legitimate interests, parties shall refrain from including, or shall partially redact where inclusion is necessary, the following personal data identifiers from all documents and pleadings filed with the Court, including exhibits thereto, whether filed electronically or conventionally, unless otherwise ordered by the Court or required by statute, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, or the Official Bankruptcy Forms:

(a) Social Security Numbers. If an individual’s social security number must be included in a pleading, only the last four digits of that number should be used, with the exception of the Statement of Social Security Number Form B-21;

(b) Names of Minor Children. If the involvement of a minor child must be mentioned, only the initials of that child should be used. On Schedule I of Official Bankruptcy Form 6, list the relationship and age of the debtor’s dependents (e.g., Son, Age 6);

(c) Dates of Birth. If an individual’s date of birth must be included in a pleading, only the year should be used. On Schedule I of Official Bankruptcy Form 6, list the age of each of the debtor’s dependents;

(d) Financial Account Numbers. If financial account numbers are relevant, only the last four digits of these numbers should be used. On Schedules D, E, and F of Official Bankruptcy Form 6, debtors, if they so choose, may include their full account numbers to assist the trustee and creditors.

NOTE: In compliance with the E-Government Act of 2002, a party wishing to file a document containing the personal data identifiers listed above may file an un-redacted document under seal. This document shall be retained by the Court as part of the record. The Court may, however, still require the party to file a redacted copy for the public file. The responsibility for redacting personal identifiers rests solely with counsel and the parties. The Clerk will not review documents for compliance with this procedure.

All proposed orders must be submitted for the judge’s signature via email to the court consistent with the instructions below. Proposed Orders should also be submitted as a PDF attachment to motions or applications to which they relate. The proposed orders so attached will not be processed by the court as having been submitted for judicial signature, but are intended only for viewing and review by those parties served with the underlying motion/application. All proposed orders submitted for the judge’s signature via e-mail must be in Word or WordPerfect compatible format, not as a PDF file. All proposed orders must have complete captions, including the name of the debtor(s), case number, the number of the document to which it refers, full title preceded by the words Proposed Order, certificate of service, etc, and must comply with any other requirement specified in the categories below. Any discrepancy between the proposed order attached to the motion and the order submitted for signature via e-mail, should be clearly noted and explained in a Request for Entry of Order. In addition, proposed orders should not contain a signature line, the name of the judge, or a date line. The email should be in the following format:

(a) Proposed Orders for Matters That Will Have a Hearing, (not prosecuted pursuant to the Contested Matters/Bar Date Procedure). Proposed orders on matters that require a hearing must be submitted after receipt of the notice of hearing but, at least three days prior to the scheduled hearing date. The email should be submitted in the following format:

(1) The subject line must contain the debtor’s name, case number and hearing date. For example: 03-30001 Daniel - hearing date March 15, 2005

(2) Attach the proposed order which must be in Word or WordPerfect format, and not as a PDF file. In the body of the email you must reference the document number of the pleading that the attached order relates to.

(3) Submit the proposed order to the following Email address:
Judge Dabrowski - ctbecf_asdhearing@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Shiff - ctbecf_ahwshearing@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Weil - ctbecf_lmwhearing@ctb.uscourts.gov

(b) Proposed Orders on Motions or Applications That Have Followed the Contested Matters/Bar Date Procedure.3 Proposed orders submitted for matters following the contested matters/bar date procedure, must be included as an attachment to the motion to which they relate, and served on all necessary parties. The attachment should be clearly marked as a Proposed Order. The identical order should be submitted consistent with the instructions in this section by e-mail submission after the objection bar date has passed and must be submittedcontemporaneously4 with electronic filing of the Request for Entry of Order. Please note: Any discrepancy between the proposed order attached to the motion and the order submitted for signature subsequent to the bar date should be clearly noted and explained in the Request for Entry of Order. The email should be in the following format:

a) The subject line must contain the debtor’s name, case number and must indicate that the Request for Entry of Order has been filed. For example: 03-30001 Daniel - request filed

b) Attach the proposed order which must be in Word or WordPerfect format, and not as a PDF file. In the body of the email provide the document number of the pleading that the proposed order relates to.

c) Submit the proposed order to the following Email address:
Judge Dabrowski - ctbecf_asdshortcalendar@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Shiff - ctbecf_ahwsshortcalendar@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Weil - ctbecf_lmwshortcalendar@ctb.uscourts.gov

(c) Proposed Orders That Were Returned for Modification after a Hearing or Were Never Submitted Prior to a Hearing. Proposed orders to which modification is required after a hearing or which are proffered for the first time after the hearing shall be submitted in the following format:

a) The subject line must contain the debtor’s name, the case number and must indicate the day the hearing was held. For example: 03-30001 Daniel - hearing held 12/1/04
b) Attach the proposed order which must be in Word or WordPerfect format, and not as a PDF file. In the body of the email provide the document number of the pleading that the proposed order relates to.

c) Submit the proposed order to the following Email address:
Judge Dabrowski - ctbecf_asdtobesubmitted@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Shiff - ctbecf_ahwstobesubmitted@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Weil - ctbecf_lmwtobesubmitted@ctb.uscourts.gov

(d) Proposed Orders for ex Parte Matters. Proposed orders pertaining to ex parte matters
shall be submitted contemporaneously with the electronic filing of the ex parte matter and must
be in the following format.

4Contemporaneously in this Procedure means as soon as possible after the completion of the electronic filing, and
recognizes the different modes of transmission.

a) The subject line must contain the debtor’s name, case number and the words "ex parte".

b) Attach the proposed order which must be in Word or WordPerfect format, and not as
a PDF file. In the body of the email provide name of the ex-parte document the proposed order relates to.

c) Submit the proposed order to the following Email address:
Judge Dabrowski - ctbecf_asdexparte@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Shiff - ctbecf_ahwsexparte@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Weil - ctbecf_lmwexparte@ctb.uscourts.gov

(e) Proposed Orders for Expedited Matters. Proposed orders pertaining to matters in which
expedited action has been requested and proposed orders relating to the motion requesting
expedited treatment shall be submitted contemporaneously with the electronic filing of the
expedited matter and/or motion for expedited treatment and must be in the following format.

a) The subject line must contain the debtor’s name, case number and the word "expedited".

b) Attach the proposed order to which must be in Word or WordPerfect format, and not
as a PDF file. In the body of the email provide reference to the name of document the proposed order relates to.

c) Submit the proposed order to the following Email address:
Judge Dabrowski - ctbecf_asdexpedited@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Shiff - ctbecf_ahwsexpedited@ctb.uscourts.gov
Judge Weil - ctbecf_lmwexpedited@ctb.uscourts.gov

Please complete the following form and the on-line test found on the Training section of the court’s website. Return them, by mail, to the Office of the Bankruptcy Court Clerk, 450 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103, Attn: ECF Registration. We will contact you regarding your registration and password after review of the information herein.

ECF FORM NO. 1 FILER REGISTRATION FORM

ECF FORM NO. 1 a Pro Hac Vice FILER REGISTRATION

ECF FORM NO. 2 USER REGISTRATION

ECF FORM NO. 3 INSTRUCTIONS and MOTION for Exemption from Electronic Filing

Summary. All documents filed in any case or adversary proceeding after August 1, 2005 must be filed electronically, unless exempted by the court. The court will not refuse any document for filing, but attorneys who file paper documents without obtaining an exemption risk dismissal or striking of the document, and may be subject to sanctions.

Pro se litigants who are not attorneys are not subject to mandatory electronic filing.
Procedure for applying for exemption. No blanket exemptions will be granted to attorneys. Exemption from Electronic Filing must be sought on a case by case basis. A Motion for Exemption should be submitted to the Court using the attached standard form Motion for Exemption from Electronic Filing. The form should be completed and submitted in paper form with the first paper document submitted for filing. Documents
submitted without the completed motion will not be refused for filing, but will be result in the issuance of a Court’s Motion to Dismiss or Strike, which will be set for hearing before the assigned judge.

Not-yet-trained exemption. To invoke this exemption, the attorney must schedule a date for ECF training and include a reference to that date in the motion for exemption. If the attorney does not select a date, the clerk will assign a training date. A list of Available ECF Training Dates is posted on the court's web site, www.ctb.uscourts.gov  

Trained-but-no-login exemption. Attorneys who have completed ECF training but who have not yet obtained a login and password will be granted an exemption good for 15 days to complete their preparation for ECF filing.

Other-circumstances exemption. In addition to the exemptions listed above, the court may grant exemptions from electronic filing where exceptional circumstances justify such relief.
The circumstances should be described in detail in the motion. Exemptions for exceptional circumstances will be made on a case by case basis, and orders granting the exemption will apply only in the particular case in which the order was entered.
Procedure for filing subsequent paper documents. After a Motion for Exemption has been filed, the court will grant or deny the motion and return a copy of the motion and order to the attorney. If granted, the attorney should include a copy of the order with each paper document thereafter submitted for filing. Not-yet-trained, and trained-but-no-login
exemptions cover all documents submitted for filing in any division of this court during the time period of the exemption. When filing conventionally documentation of the exemption for exemptions based on pending training or login should accompany the document to be filed. An exemption granted for other reasons is limited to the case in which the Order was granted.
Out-of-district attorneys. The court's electronic filing requirements and the exemptions thereto apply to all attorneys, whether or not located in the district, and whether or not admitted to practice in the district.

Sanctions. Any attorney who files documents in paper form, who fails to submit a motion for exemption, or who continues to file documents in paper form after a motion for exemption has been denied or after an exemption has expired, may risk striking of the document or dismissal of the case, and ultimately be subject to disciplinary action. When an attorney attempts a filing in violation of the above requirements, the following procedure will be followed:
1. The document will be filed, imaged and docketed by the Clerk.

2. The Clerk will issue a Court’s Motion to Dismiss or Strike for Failure to Comply with the Court’s Administrative Procedures, refer the matter to the assigned judge, and set the matter for hearing at the earliest practicable date. The hearing date will be scheduled for the most expedient calendar which is more than five days from the issuance of the Court’s Motion to Dismiss or Strike. Except on order of the court, in exceptional circumstances, no telephonic appearances will be allowed.

3. If the court disallows the filing, an order may be issued striking the pleading from the record, dismissing the case, and/or requiring such other remedial action as the court may deem appropriate.

4. Except on Order of the Court in exceptional circumstances, no action will be taken by the court with regard to the document pending the hearing on the Court’s Motion to Dismiss or Strike.