Local Rule 83.8: Self-Represented Litigants

83.8 Self-Represented Litigants

(a) Personal Appearance. Any individual acting without an attorney must appear personally and may not delegate that duty to any other person who is not a member of the bar of this court. A self-represented person is bound by the federal rules and all applicable local rules. Sanctions, including but not limited to entry of default judgment or dismissal with prejudice, may be imposed for failure to comply with local rules.

(b) Entities. Any entity other than an individual, including but not limited to a corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or a union, may appear only by an attorney.

(c) Self-Represented Litigants. Self-represented litigants may request to file electronically in civil cases through PACER by submitting a pro se e-filing registration form to the clerk of court's office. The clerk reserves the right to deny requests to file electronically. Once registered in PACER, the self-represented litigant waives their ability to file documents in paper form over the counter or through the mail. All filings by self-represented litigants must be done through PACER, by mail, or by in person delivery to the clerk's office.

(d) Consent to Electronic Service Only. Except in attorney discipline and social security matters, a self-represented litigant may consent to have all future documents filed in their case sent to them via e-mail. The agreement must be in writing and signed by the litigant. The clerk may add terms and conditions other than those in this rule and make revoke the agreement at any time.

(e) Agreement with Parties. Instead of or in addition to an agreement under subsection (d), a self-represented litigant and one or more other parties may agree to receive and/or effect service by means other than CM/ECF, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b)(2)(E) or (F). Any such agreement must be in writing, signed by each party to it, and filed in the record of the case.