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 Virginia, electronic filing (e-filing) is widely accepted and often required for filing legal documents with courts. The Supreme Court of Virginia has established an electronic filing system known as the Virginia Judiciary Electronic Systems (VJES), which allows for the submission of court documents online. This system is used by many of the state's circuit courts. Additionally, the General District Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts also accept electronic filings through a system called the Case Management System (CMS). E-filing provides a more efficient and convenient method for attorneys and self-represented litigants to file documents without the need for physical delivery. It is important to note that each court may have specific rules and procedures regarding e-filing, and users must register and often pay associated fees to file electronically. Moreover, the Commonwealth's e-filing system is continually evolving to expand its capabilities and accessibility.