Local Rule AP 2.3: Format and Quality Control

2.3 Format and Quality Control

(a) PDF Format Required. Documents electronically filed must be submitted in PDF format. Unless otherwise provided herein, main documents must be filed in an electronically converted PDF text searchable format. Attachments/Non-Trial Exhibits must also be filed in an electronically converted PDF text searchable format, unless the Filing User possesses only a paper copy of the document to be submitted, in which case a scanned PDF that is not text searchable may be submitted. All scanned documents shall conform with a standard of 300 pixels per square inch.

(b) PDF Documents Exceeding Ten Megabytes. No individual PDF document exceeding 100 megabytes will be accepted in ECF. Any individual PDF document exceeding 100 megabytes must be divided into separate PDF documents of less than 100 megabytes.

(c) Title of Docket Entries/Pleadings. All electronically filed documents shall be titled and docketed in accordance with the approved dictionary of civil/criminal events available on ECF. The clerk's office may, when necessary and appropriate, modify the docket entry description to comply with quality control standards.

(d) Format of Electronic Filings. Except as provided herein, electronically filed documents must comply with the formatting and page limit requirements for paper documents as set forth in the Federal Rules of Civil/Criminal Procedure and the local rules of this court.

(e) Memorandum and Supporting Documents Required by LR 7.1(a)(2). A memorandum of law or other attachment filed in support of a main document shall be filed as the first attachment to the main document and not as a separate docket entry. If the Filing User is contemporaneously filing an objection and cross motion, however, the memorandum of law shall be filed as the main document in a separate docket entry and linked to both the objection and cross motion.

(f) Verify Readability. The Filing User shall verify the readability of a converted or scanned PDF before electronically filing it in ECF.

(g) Scanned Document Retention Requirement. Paper documents converted to PDF through a scanner and filed using ECF must be retained by the Filing User until three (3) years after the date of filing or until the conclusion of all appeals in the case, whichever date is later. Upon request of the court or any party, a Filing User must make the paper document available for inspection.

(h) Erroneous Submissions.

(1) Erroneous Docket Entries. A Filing User may not correct a docket entry or document submission error after a document is electronically filed in ECF. If necessary to satisfy a filing deadline, a Filing User may electronically resubmit the entire document, including all attachments, in ECF. Otherwise, the Filing User shall not attempt to refile the document in ECF. The Filing User shall immediately contact the clerk's office to report the error and request necessary remedial action. The clerk's office may make an entry indicating that the document was filed in error and may request that the document be refiled. The court may, upon motion of a party or upon its own motion, strike any erroneously or inappropriately filed document.

(2) Documents Conventionally Filed in ECF Cases. Except as provided herein, documents may not be submitted conventionally in a case designated for ECF.

(3) Documents Electronically Filed in Non-ECF Cases. Except as provided herein, documents may not be submitted electronically through the ECF system in a case not designated for ECF.

(i) Hyperlinks. Electronically filed documents may contain the following types of hyperlinks:

(1) Hyperlinks to other portions of the same document;

(2) Hyperlinks to other documents filed within the CM/ECF system; and

(3) Hyperlinks to a location on the Internet that contains a source document for a citation.

Hyperlinks to cited authority may not replace standard citation format. Complete citations must be included in the text of the filed document. Neither a hyperlink, nor any site to which it refers, shall be considered part of the record, but are simply convenient mechanisms for accessing material cited in a filed document.

The court accepts no responsibility for, and does not endorse, any product, organization, or content at any hyperlinked site, or at any site to which that site may be linked. The court accepts no responsibility for the availability or functionality of any hyperlink.

(j) PDF Document Restrictions. The ECF system will not accept PDF documents containing tracking tags, embedded systems commands, password protections, access restrictions or other security features, special tags or dynamic features.

(§§ (a) and (b) amended; § (j) added 5/1/05; § (b) amended, § (k) added 10/1/05; § (f) stricken, former § (i) amended and relettered to (h), §§ (g)-(k) relettered accordingly 10/1/06; §§ (b) and (i) amended 5/15/08; §§(a) and (b) amended 12/1/09; § (b) amended 6/1/11; § (b) amended 12/1/15; § (b) amended 12/1/25)