For anyone who doesn’t already know (like me until a few minutes ago), the Louisiana Third Circuit now has e-filing. To register, follow this link and click where it says “create an account.” To read the court’s e-filing rules, follow this link.
... by following this link.
The Louisiana Second Circuit has promulgated a new local rule authorizing e-filing, effective November 1, 2021. To read or download a copy of the new rule and the e-filing procedure, follow this link.
If you’re using Windows, you can type a section sign (§) or a pilcrow (¶) in any Windows application, including Word, using your numeric keypad. Here’s how.
First, make sure your Num Lock is on; that’s the key in the upper left corner of your numeric keypad. Most keypads have a little light indicated whether Num Lock is on or off.
To type the section sign, hold down the Alt key and press 0167 in sequence. In Word, you may have to hit space bar or another key before the symbol appears.
To type a pilcrow or paragraph sign, hold down the Alt key and press 0182 in sequence.
There are other Alt codes for dozens of typographic symbols that you won’t find on your keyboard. They work the same way: with Num Lock on, hold down Alt and press four numbers. To find those numeric codes, check out this web page by some folks at Penn State.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has a new web site. Check it out by following this link. To read a description of the new web site’s features, follow this link.
If you’re reading this blog, then you’ll enjoy this news: E-filing is now available at the Louisiana Fourth Circuit. To register, follow this link. Of course, you’ll want to learn the court’s e-filing rules, which you can read and download by following this link.
Check out the U.S. Supreme Court’s new web site. For a summary of the added features, follow this link to the SCOTUS Blog.
In a case I’m involved in at the U.S. Fifth Circuit, we recently received, along with the notice of oral argument, this notice of the court’s new policy on admitting electronic devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers. Bottom line: you can take your smart phone or tablet with you; you just need to power it down before entering the courtroom. Counsel presenting oral argument or assisting at counsel table may use a laptop or tablet computer, but must not use these devices to take pictures or photos, or to post to social media inside the courtroom.
_____
p.s. (3 Mar. 2015): For some reason, the link to the Fifth Circuit document did not work for me in MS Internet Explorer. I had no trouble using the link in Google Chrome. I haven’t tried it in Firefox.
p.p.s.: At iPhone JD, Jeff Richardson has a detailed post on this topic and on the general use of electronic devices in court.
I just noticed that the Louisiana Fifth Circuit has redone its web site. Besides updating the look, the court has endeavored to “allow[ ] this website, when viewed on any mobile or tablet device, to recognize and adjust to that devices screen size and resolution.” I look forward to putting it through its paces on my phone and my tablet.
The Louisiana First Circuit announced today that e-filing there will be available starting this Monday, June 16. To learn how the system will work, read newly adopted Local Rule 8 and the court’s FAQ sheet.
One requirement the First Circuit will have that I have not yet seen elsewhere is an electronic signature. Most of us are accustomed to “signing” a document by typing “/s/ [name]” above the signature line when creating the document in Word or WordPerfect. That may not do for the First Circuit. Local Rule 8 defines electronic signature as “an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a document and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the document.” If you don’t know how to sign a document electronically, do not fear; just visit this Adobe web page and watch the little instructional video.