Electronic filing (e-filing) is the process of filing legal documents with courts and other government and nongovernment entities (arbitration administrators) electronically—often through a website—rather than mailing or delivering paper copies of the documents to be filed.
In California, electronic filing (e-filing) has become a standard method for submitting legal documents to courts. The state has embraced e-filing to increase efficiency and accessibility within the judicial system. California Rules of Court, Rule 2.250 et seq., provide the framework for e-filing in the state's courts. While e-filing is mandatory in many California courts for most civil cases, some exceptions may apply, such as for self-represented litigants or specific types of documents. Additionally, local rules may vary by county, so it's important to check the local court's requirements. E-filing is typically done through approved service providers or directly through the court's designated system. For arbitration and other non-government entities, the rules regarding e-filing would depend on the specific arbitration agreement and the rules of the arbitration administrator.