They designate an e-mail address to which notices can be sent, and the electronic filing system will automatically send notification to all parties of record whenever a document gets filed. Parties can then log onto the system to read the text of the filed document. Since the documents filed with ECF are easily-accessed public documents, provisions have been made for the handling of confidential documents. When a document is to be filed which the attorney wishes to keep confidential, a paper document is filed with the court. The attorney must then put a notice in the ECF file for the case stating that they have made a manual filing with the court.
Most attorneys already have the basic hardware and software requirements for filing with the system.
You will need a computer that operates on Windows or an Apple MacIntosh. You will need internet access and a Netscape browser. If you plan to file exhibits or other non-computer generated documents you will need access to a scanner. If you are just going to read the documents, but not file them, you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader rather than Adobe Acrobat. Acrobat is also available for purchase at the Adobe website or from your favorite software dealer.