Local Rule LR 3.01: COMMENCING AN ACTION
M.D. Tenn. — Civil rule
LR 3.01 – COMMENCING AN ACTION
(a) Civil Case Initiating Documents - Represented Parties. Civil complaints, petitions, notices of removal from state court, or other civil case initiating documents must be filed electronically except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the Court. In the case of removal, a copy of all documents filed in the state court action must be attached to the notice of removal.
(b) Filing Case Initiating Documents in Hard Copy – Represented Parties. If civil case initiating documents must be filed in hard copy, as determined by the Court, counsel must contact the Clerk's Office in advance and provide the Clerk's Office with an electronic version in PDF format on a USB storage device or other means approved by the Clerk's Office. If there is a discrepancy between the paper document and the electronic version, the electronic version is controlling. All subsequent documents must be filed electronically via CM/ECF.
(c) Civil Case Initiating Documents - Pro Se Parties. Parties not represented by an attorney ("pro se parties") must file case-initiating documents (e.g. complaints, petitions, notices of removal) in hard copy by delivering the documents to the Clerk's Office by mail or in person. All subsequent documents may be filed by mail, in person, or electronically via the Court's Pro Se Electronic Filing Portal. Pro se parties may, with the Court's permission, register as a CM/ECF Filing User solely for purposes of filing documents in their case(s). Instructions on how to obtain a PACER account and how to request permission to file via CM/ECF are available on the Court's website.
(d) Civil Actions by Incarcerated Individuals. The Clerk's Office shall provide form pleadings for use by incarcerated individuals filing habeas corpus petitions (Section 2254 petitions) and civil rights actions (Section 1983 actions) if requested in writing. These form pleadings are also available on the Court's website.