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 Pennsylvania, electronic filing (e-filing) has become an increasingly common method for submitting legal documents to courts and other entities. The Pennsylvania Judiciary has implemented an e-filing system known as the Pennsylvania Courts Electronic Filing System (PACFile). This system allows attorneys and self-represented parties to file court documents electronically in appellate courts, as well as in some trial courts. The availability and requirements for e-filing can vary by county and by the type of case. For example, in civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas, many counties have made e-filing mandatory. In addition to court filings, other government and nongovernment entities, such as arbitration administrators, may also accept or require electronic submissions. Users typically need to register for an account on the relevant e-filing platform and follow specific guidelines for document format and submission procedures. It is important for filers to check the local rules and administrative orders of the specific court or entity to understand the e-filing requirements and processes in place.