court-filings

name	court-filings
description	Court filing procedures skill for document preparation and submission. Use when the user needs assistance with ECF filing, court formatting rules, service requirements, filing deadlines, or court document preparation. Triggers on keywords like "court filing", "ECF", "CM/ECF", "file", "serve", "service", "filing deadline", "court rules", "local rules", "certificate of service".

Court Filings

This skill provides expert guidance for preparing and filing documents with courts.

Core Capabilities

1. Federal Filing (CM/ECF)

• ECF registration
• Document requirements
• Filing procedures
• Service via ECF

2. Document Formatting

• Federal requirements
• Local rule compliance
• Page limits
• Caption requirements

3. Service of Process

• Service methods
• Proof of service
• Deadline calculations
• Waivers

4. State Court Filing

• State variations
• E-filing systems
• Manual filing
• Fee requirements

Federal Court Filing (CM/ECF)

ECF Requirements

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CM/ECF

FORMAT
□ PDF format (text-searchable preferred)
□ No password protection
□ No embedded audio/video
□ Bookmarks for exhibits >25 pages

FILE SIZE
□ Maximum 35 MB per document
□ Split larger documents
□ Use correct document naming

SIGNATURES
□ /s/ [Name] format for electronic signatures
□ Scanned signatures for non-filing parties
□ Multiple signatures permitted

REDACTION
□ Social Security numbers (last 4 only)
□ Dates of birth (year only)
□ Financial account numbers (last 4 only)
□ Names of minors (initials only)
□ Home addresses (in certain cases)

Filing Procedure

1. LOG IN TO CM/ECF
   - Use PACER credentials (or court-specific)
   - Verify correct court

2. SELECT CASE
   - Enter case number
   - Verify case information

3. SELECT DOCUMENT TYPE
   - Choose appropriate event
   - Link related documents

4. UPLOAD DOCUMENT
   - Main document first
   - Attachments/exhibits separately
   - Verify PDF quality

5. ADD PARTIES
   - Select filing party
   - Link to related parties

6. VERIFY AND SUBMIT
   - Review filing summary
   - Confirm service
   - Complete submission

7. CONFIRM
   - Save Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)
   - Verify service list
   - Calendar deadlines

NEF Contents

• Transaction receipt
• Document number
• Filing date/time
• Parties served electronically
• Parties requiring manual service

Document Formatting

Federal Rules Requirements

General Format:

• Paper size: 8.5" x 11"
• Margins: At least 1" all sides
• Font: 14-point (12-point for footnotes)
• Line spacing: Double-spaced (exceptions for block quotes, footnotes)
• Page numbers: Bottom center or lower right

Caption Format:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
[DISTRICT NAME]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],            )
                             )
          Plaintiff,         )    Case No. [XX-cv-XXXX-ABC]
                             )
     v.                      )    [DOCUMENT TITLE]
                             )
[DEFENDANT NAME],            )
                             )
          Defendant.         )
_____________________________)

Page Limits (Federal)

Document	Limit	Rule
Motion	25 pages	Local rule typical
Opposition	25 pages	Local rule typical
Reply	15 pages	Local rule typical
Brief (appeal)	Varies by circuit	FRAP 32

Certificate of Compliance

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

I certify that this [document type] complies with the [page/word]
limit set forth in [rule] because:

[ ] This document contains [X] words, excluding the parts
    exempted by [rule], OR

[ ] This document does not exceed [X] pages.

Dated: [Date]

                              /s/ [Attorney Name]
                              [Attorney Name]

Service of Process

Initial Service (FRCP 4)

Methods for Individuals:

1. Personal service
2. Leaving at dwelling with person of suitable age
3. Delivering to authorized agent
4. Following state law methods

Methods for Corporations:

1. Personal service on officer, managing agent, or general agent
2. Delivery to agent authorized by law
3. Following state law methods

Methods for Government:

• United States: FRCP 4(i) (DOJ + agency)
• State: FRCP 4(j) (chief executive officer)

Waiver of Service (FRCP 4(d))

BENEFITS OF WAIVER
- Defendant: 60 days to answer (vs. 21)
- Plaintiff: Avoids service costs
- Both: Good faith cooperation

WAIVER REQUEST
- Mail request + complaint
- Allow 30 days to return waiver
- Prepaid return envelope

CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSAL
- Defendant bears service costs
- Unless good cause shown

Service of Subsequent Documents

Electronic Service (via ECF):

• All registered users served automatically
• Effective upon NEF transmission
• +3 days for response deadlines

Other Methods (FRCP 5(b)(2)):

Method	When Complete
Personal delivery	When delivered
Mail	When mailed
Electronic (non-ECF)	When transmitted
Leaving at office	When left

Certificate of Service

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [Date], I [served/caused to be served]
a copy of the foregoing [Document Title] on the following:

[VIA CM/ECF:]
[Name], Esq.
[Firm]
[Address]
[Email]

[VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL:]
[Name]
[Address]

                              /s/ [Attorney Name]
                              [Attorney Name]
                              Attorney for [Party]

Filing Deadlines

Deadline Calculation (FRCP 6)

Basic Rules:

1. Exclude trigger day
2. Count all days (including weekends/holidays)
3. If last day is weekend/federal holiday, extend to next business day

Periods Less Than 11 Days:

• Exclude weekends and federal holidays from count

Service Extensions (FRCP 6(d)):

• +3 days when served by mail, electronic means, or leaving with clerk

Federal Holidays (Court Closures)

1. New Year's Day
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
3. Presidents' Day
4. Memorial Day
5. Juneteenth
6. Independence Day
7. Labor Day
8. Columbus Day
9. Veterans Day
10. Thanksgiving
11. Christmas

Common Deadlines Quick Reference

Filing	Deadline
Answer to complaint	21 days from service
Answer (waiver)	60 days from waiver request
Motion to dismiss	Before responsive pleading
Discovery responses	30 days from service
Expert disclosure	Per scheduling order
Summary judgment	Per scheduling order
Notice of appeal	30 days (civil); 60 days (gov't party)

Local Rules

Key Local Rule Areas

Area	Common Variations
Page limits	May be shorter than national
Font/format	Specific requirements
Exhibits	Separate filing requirements
Proposed orders	When/how to submit
Courtesy copies	Paper copies to chambers
Conferences	Meet and confer requirements
Briefing schedule	Different timelines

Checking Local Rules

1. Federal courts: [court].uscourts.gov
2. Standing orders: Individual judge requirements
3. ECF policies: Court-specific procedures
4. Filing fees: Current fee schedule
5. Pro hac vice: Admission requirements

Filing Fees

Federal Court Fees (2024)

Filing	Fee
Civil complaint	$405
Notice of appeal	$605
Habeas corpus	$5
Bankruptcy (Ch. 7)	$338
Bankruptcy (Ch. 11)	$1,738
Bankruptcy (Ch. 13)	$313
Motion fees	Varies

Fee Waivers

• In forma pauperis (28 U.S.C. § 1915)
• Application required
• Financial qualification
• Prisoner Litigation Reform Act limitations

Quality Control Checklist

Pre-Filing Review

• Caption correct and complete
• Case number accurate
• Document title matches content
• All pages included
• Page numbers correct
• Signature block complete
• Certificate of service attached
• Exhibits properly labeled
• Redactions complete
• PDF searchable
• File size acceptable
• Local rules compliance verified

Post-Filing

• NEF received and saved
• All parties served
• Response deadline calendared
• Client copy sent
• Matter file updated
• Billing entry made

Integration with Other Skills

• litigation: Motion practice procedures
• case-management: Deadline tracking
• document-drafting: Pleading preparation
• brief-writing: Appellate filings
• us-federal-courts: Federal court procedures

Reference Files

For detailed guidance:

• references/ecf-guide.md - CM/ECF procedures
• references/formatting-rules.md - Document format requirements
• references/service-methods.md - Service of process guide