Erie County Clerk
Press Releases

10/01/07

ELECTRONIC FILING OF TORT, COMMERCIAL AND TAX CERT. CASES LAUNCHED IN ERIE COUNTY

Initiative by Office of Court Administration and Erie County Clerk Hochul Saves Time and Money for Attorneys and Clients.

Effective October 1, 2007, all Erie County Supreme Court tort, commercial, and tax certiorari cases may be filed electronically through the Unified Court System's electronic filing (e-filing) program. Transactions will be processed through the Erie County Clerk's Office Actions and Proceedings Department. Administrative Judge Hon. Sharon S. Townsend, the Judges and staff of the Eighth Judicial District and Erie County Clerk Kathleen C. Hochul have worked together to offer this new convenience for attorneys in the hopes of saving time and money for attorneys and their clients.

Judge Townsend said, "We have worked in close collaboration with members of the Bar, Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, and Erie Supreme and County Chief Clerk Christine Nestor on this project and are especially appreciative of their outstanding cooperation. We are confident that there will be a high level of satisfaction and convenience generated through use of the e-filing system." Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul said that as an attorney, she is excited about offering this convenience to members of the legal profession. "Working cooperatively with Judge Townsend and her staff, we are moving the County Clerk's office into the future of a paperless legal process, while increasing efficiency for attorneys and their clients," said Hochul.

Unlike federal Court, the E-Filing program is voluntary. It allows attorneys to electronically file and serve pleadings and motions with the County Clerk, Court and parties to any tort, commercial and tax certiorari case filed in Erie County. Statutory court fees can be paid to the County Clerk by means of the e-filing system, which operates through an internet website. To access the Unified Court System's e-filing website, go to www.nycourts.gov. Click on "E-Courts" and then click on "Electronic Filing." Relevant forms and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the website.

E-filing is fast and secure. The system is convenient and simple to use. It can save the time of attorneys and their staff thereby reducing litigation expenses. Those who use the e-filing system can file documents with the County Clerk and in court at any hour of the day from anywhere in the world where internet access is available without paying any additional fees for use of the system. Service of papers subsequent to initiation of the case can be made electronically from any location as well. Court fees can be paid online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). An electronic case docket is also created and the case file is simultaneously accessible at any time by all participating attorneys on the case with the ability to print documents at no additional charge.

Andrew Isenberg, District Executive for the Eighth Judicial District said, "E-Filing represents the future of litigation in Erie County. It will revolutionize the process by which litigants, the County Clerk and the Court communicate with each other."

Informational packets concerning the e-filing system are available at both the Erie County Clerk's Office and the Erie County Supreme and County Courts Chief Clerk's Office.