Rule 1 Title; applicability; effective dates [Effective July 1, 2026]

(a) Title. These rules may be known and cited as the 2020 Vermont Rules for Electronic Filing.

(b) Scope. These rules apply to all actions and proceedings commenced in the divisions and units of the superior court authorized by the Court Administrator under subdivision (e), except for the actions specified in subdivision (c), and to actions and proceedings in the judicial bureau authorized by the Court Administrator under subdivision (f). These rules also apply to all actions and proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court on or after the date specified pursuant to subdivision (d) and in actions and proceedings existing in the Supreme Court on that date.

(c) Exception for Existing Electronic Filing. Electronic filing in effect prior to promulgation of the 2020 Vermont Rules for Electronic Filing will be conducted under the existing 2010 Vermont Rules for Electronic Filing and according to the applicability provisions of Rule 1(a) of those rules. When the Court Administrator directs that electronic filing be implemented in a division, unit, and type of case in which electronic filing is already occurring, the 2020 Vermont Rules for Electronic Filing will apply to all efiling that occurs after the date specified by the Court Administrator.

(d) Authorization for Electronic Filing in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court by administrative order may direct that electronic filing will go into effect in the Court as of a specified date. The Court Administrator must send notice by email to all members of the Vermont Bar of the directive at least 30 days before the specified date and provide instructions on how to efile under these rules.

(e) Authorization for Electronic Filing in the Superior Court. The Court Administrator may direct a unit and/or division of the superior court to implement electronic filing in some or all types of cases as of a specific date. The Court Administrator must send notice by email to all members of the Vermont Bar of the directive at least 30 days before the implementation date and provide instructions on how to efile under these rules.

(f) Judicial Bureau. The Court Administrator may direct the judicial bureau to implement electronic filing as of a specific date. The directive must be issued at least 30 days before the implementation date. Electronic filing will apply to all cases commenced after the specified date unless otherwise directed by the Court Administrator. Rule 3 notwithstanding, the directive must specify those required and permitted to electronically file.

(g) Authorization for Electronic Filing for Hearing Panels of the Professional Responsibility Board. The Court Administrator may implement electronic filing for hearing panels of the Professional Responsibility Board as of a specific date. The Court Administrator must send notice by email to all members of the Vermont Bar of the directive at least 30 days before the implementation date and provide instructions on how to efile under these rules.

(h) Authorization of Alternate Form of Electronic Transmission. The Court Administrator may authorize some or all filings of a specified type of filer in a specified type of case to be transmitted electronically to the electronic case file.