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CNMI courts adopt e-filing rules
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Posted on Jan 16 2006
The rules for electronic-filing and service of documents in the CNMI courts via the Internet are now permanent, according to the Commonwealth Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan, Associate Justice John A. Manglona and Associate Justice Alexandro C. Castro cited that the proposed rules for e-filing and services were submitted to the 14th NMI Legislature for approval.
The justices said 60 days have elapsed since the submission and neither chamber of the Legislature has disapproved of the rules.
These rules, they said, shall become effective on the date to be set by the Supreme Court.
Under the rules, all courts within the CNMI shall accept e-filing and service of pleadings and other documents designated as valid.
The Supreme Court shall publish and maintain a list of courts and cases where e-filing and e-service is permitted and required.
This list may be accessed at http://www.justice.gov.mp.
The pleadings that shall be filed and serviced electronically are new civil complaints and petitions filed in the Superior Court, original answers, and all civil writs, petitions, and appeals to the High Court.
The pleadings that may not be e-filed and shall be filed conventionally are criminal cases and petitions (unless expressly permitted by a court’s general order), and sealed documents.
The users who are authorized to register as Eletronic Filing Service Provider users are attorneys licensed to practice law in the CNMI and their staff; off-island attorneys allowed to practice in specific cases; judges, justices and their staff; court administrative staff; the litigants themeselves; and other public users, including media representatives.
Registered users shall electronically pay the filing fees for e-filed documents to the High Court through their EFSP.
The EFSP may charge registered users additional fees to deliver, access and use the service.
