SDNY ECF SYSTEM UPGRADE: SERVICE INTERRUPTION NOTICE FOR APRIL 25-27, 2014

COURT NOTICE TO THE BAR                                                April 14, 2013

CONTACT: ECF Help Desk, 212-805-0800

SDNY ECF SYSTEM UPGRADE: SERVICE INTERRUPTION NOTICE FOR APRIL 25-27, 2014

For the purposes of upgrading the Southern District of New York’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system, ECF will be unavailable beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014. Service will be restored by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2014.

During this time, users will be unable to file documents on the court’s ECF system or view documents through the PACER electronic public access service. Filers are directed to section 23.7 of the court’s ECF Rules & Instructions for information regarding technical issues that prevent timely filing.

This time will be used to upgrade the court’s ECF system to version 5.1.1. Notable changes include:

Changes to Nature of Suit Codes: To more accurately record the filing of civil actions, thirteen codes have been eliminated and seven new codes added. As a result, a revised civil cover sheet (form JS44C/SDNY) will be required beginning Monday, April 28, 2014. The new form will be made available beginning on April 27, 2014.

ECF Password Strength Requirement: Users accessing the ECF system after April 27, 2014 will be prompted to adopt a new, more secure password.

Details on the Nature of Suit code changes, password changes and the Release Notes detailing additional features available to the public and the bar in ECF version 5.1.1 may be found at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf.php.

SDNY OFFERS SOLO PRACTITIONERS AND SMALL LAW FIRMS AN INTRODUCTION TO FILING AMENDED CIVIL PLEADINGS ON ECF

In anticipation of attorneys filing amended pleadings in civil cases using the court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system, the court will offer an introduction to the process on February 26, 2014 at 5:30 p.m., in room 160 of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse (500 Pearl Street in New York). Attendees will learn how to use the ECF system to file amended pleadings and request summonses electronically. A question and answer session will follow, and light refreshments will be served.

Registration is limited to 100 people and is open only to solo practitioners and attorneys from law firms with 20 or fewer attorneys.

To register for the event please visit the court’s website at
http://nysd.uscourts.gov/nysd_survey?survey=demo

CONTACT: Drew D’Agostino, 212-805-0615; or Jazmin Rivera, 212-805-0675

CIVIL NOTICES OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED ONLINE STARTING OCTOBER 15

Important notice from SDNY, October 15, 2012 effective date:

COURT NOTICE TO THE BAR
CONTACT: Clerk of Court, 212-805-0136

Effective October 15, 2012, the filing of Notices of Appeal in civil cases and payment of the associated fees must be completed online using the Court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system.  Go here for the official court notice.

Pro se parties who are not members of the bar and who do not have an active ECF account are exempt from this rule. Pro se parties must file a Notice of Appeal in the traditional manner (on paper) and pay the appropriate fee to the Clerk of Court.
Instructions and training for filing a Notice of Appeal on the District Court’s CM/ECF system are available at http://nysd.uscourts.gov/ecf_training.php

Stephanie Cirkovich, Esq.
Public Information Officer
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
(212) 805-0529 direct
(917) 273-8110 cell
(212) 805-0383 fax
http://nysd.uscourts.gov/