Local Rule LR 3: COMMENCING CIVIL CASES

LR 3 COMMENCING CIVIL CASES a. How Filed. Unless otherwise required or authorized by these rules, the ECF Procedures Manual, or the Clerk of Court, all civil cases commenced in the court must be filed using the ECF system. (See LR 5A(g)(1)).

b. Where Filed. Civil cases must be commenced in the proper district and division of the court. See attached map of divisions.

Civil cases filed electronically must be filed using the ECF system. Civil cases filed nonelectronically should be filed in the following locations.

1. Northern District.

A. Cedar Rapids Division and Eastern Division cases opened non-electronically ordinarily should be sent to the Clerk of Court's office in Cedar Rapids, but may be sent to the Clerk of Court's office in Sioux City;

B. Western Division and Central Division cases opened non-electronically ordinarily should be sent to the Clerk of Court's office in Sioux City, but may be sent to the Clerk of Court's office in Cedar Rapids.

2. Southern District. Cases opened non-electronically ordinarily should be sent to the Clerk of Court in Des Moines, regardless of the division, but may be sent to the Clerk of Court's offices in Davenport or Council Bluffs.

c. Pro Se Parties. Except in prisoner cases filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2), and cases filed under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2255, the Clerk of Court will provide all pro se parties in civil cases with a copy of these Local Rules upon request. The most current version of these rules may be found on the courts' websites.

Pro se parties are responsible for informing the court promptly of any changes in their address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address.