Rule 31 General Conditions for Filing and Service

(A) Purpose and Applicability. These rules establish procedures governing the electronic and conventional filing and service of all documents and pleadings to and from all the courts using the EFS within the Maine Judicial

Branch. Upon implementation of electronic filing in each of the courts, electronic filing of all documents shall be mandatory in accordance with Rule 33 of these rules. These rules shall be construed liberally to promote the administration of justice.

(B) Conditions of Electronic Filing. To have access to the EFS, each filer agrees to, and must:

(1) Register for access to the EFS;

(2) Comply with the registration conditions when using the EFS; and

(3) Maintain one or more working email addresses at which the filer agrees to accept email notification and service from the EFS.

(C) Forms.

(1) If an applicable court-approved form exists and is available to the public, the parties must use it when the Maine Judicial Branch indicates on the court form that use of that form is required. If a filer does not use a form that is designated as required, the filer must include a brief explanation in a cover letter accompanying the submission that indicates why the existing form is not suitable.

(2) For all court-approved forms that are not designated as required, the parties may use the court form or draft their own document incorporating all the information requested on the court form.

(3) Court forms can be obtained from the clerk’s office, or on the Maine Judicial Branch website. There is a charge for some forms that must be obtained from the clerk’s office.