Local Rule 3.1: Initial Filings

3.1 Initial Filings

(a) Civil Cover Sheet. Every complaint or other document initiating a civil action must be filed electronically using the ECF system unless the filer does not have access to the ECF system or is a pro se litigant. Filers who do not have access to the ECF system and pro se litigants may file a complaint or other document initiating a civil action in paper form with the Clerk. This filing must be accompanied by a completed civil cover sheet on a form available from the Clerk and on the Court's website. The civil cover sheet is solely for administrative purposes, and matters appearing only on the civil cover sheet have no legal effect in the action. If the complaint or other initiating document is tendered for filing without a completed civil cover sheet, the Clerk shall file the complaint or other initiating document and shall give notice of the omission to the filing party that the completed civil cover sheet must be promptly filed.

(b) Related Cases. An initiating party shall identify on the civil cover sheet or other form provided by the Clerk any previously filed case or cases in the District that the party knows or believes to be related. After the initial filing of a case, any party may call to the Court's attention any related case(s) by filing a notice of related case(s). For purposes of this Rule, civil cases may be deemed related by the Court if they:

(1) Arise from the same or substantially identical transaction, happening, or event; or

(2) Call for a determination of the same or substantially identical questions of law or fact; or

(3) Would entail a substantial duplication of effort and expense by the Court and the parties if heard by different Judges; or

(4) Seek relief that could result in a party's being subject to conflicting orders of this Court.

(c) This Rule is intended to provide for the orderly division of the business of the Court and does not grant any right to any litigant.