A key objective
of the electronic filing system is to ensure that as much of the case as possible
is filed electronically.
To facilitate electronic filing and retrieval, documents to be filed electronically
are to be reasonably broken into their separate component parts.
By way of example, most filings include a foundation document (e.g., motion)
and other supporting items (e.g., memorandum and exhibits). The foundation document
as well as the supporting items will each be deemed a separate component of
the filing, and each component shall be uploaded separately in the filing process.
Any component having an electronic file size that exceeds 1.5 megabytes shall
not be filed electronically. Where an individual component is not included in
the electronic filing, the filer shall electronically file the prescribed Notice
of Manual Filing in place of that component. A model form is provided as Appendix
C.
The following example illustrates the application of this section.
A party seeks to file a motion, a supporting memoranda, and four exhibits (A, B, C and D). The motion is a text document that after conversion to Adobe PDF has a size of 5kb. The supporting memoranda is a text document that after conversion to PDF has a size of 45kb. Attachment A is a scanned image of a one page document that after conversion to PDF has a size of 200kb. Attachment B is a scanned image of a 20 page document that after conversion to PDF has a size of 2mb. Attachment C is a scanned image of a 10 page document that after conversion to PDF has a size of 1.2mb. Attachment D represents an object that cannot be converted to digital format.
Each document should be kept as separate component (PDF file) rather than being merged together as one file in order to facilitate easy retrieval of any individual component. Each of the components, except for Attachments B and D, should be filed electronically in one submission by filing the motion and attaching the memoranda and exhibits through the electronic filing system. Attachment B, at 2mb, exceeds the 1.5mb file size standard for conveniently creating, filing and retrieving documents. Attachment D cannot be scanned. In the electronic submission, Attachments B and D should each be replaced by a Notice of Manual Filing form. Attachment B should then be manually filed with the Court on paper, along with a copy of the attachment on disk, and served upon the parties in the traditional, non-electronic manner. Attachment D should be treated as it would if a traditional filing system were being used.