The following is a step by step guide to assist you in the use of the Court's Electronic Filing System (EFS). There is also an on-line tutorial to assist you
Please note that the EFS can not be used to lodge documents in proceedings in the Federal Magistrates Court.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access the system?
To access the system, select 'eCourt' from the Main menu and then select 'Electronic Filing' from the sub-menu.
What documents can be sent on the EFS?
Practically all Court forms, whether or not they attract fees, may be sent using the EFS. However, complex documents such as maps, (where photo-reduction results in poor image quality or loss of scale) or where colour is a critical component of the case (eg, in an intellectual property or Native Title case) may not be suitable for electronic filing.
Is there a prescribed format for documents filed electronically or a limit on the file size?
The documents lodged electronically must be in any version of Microsoft Word (.doc), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Portable Document Format (.pdf), Tagged Image Format (.tif), Graphical Information Format (.gif) or Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg).
A single application filed with the Court (zipped or unzipped) should not be more than 50 pages when printed (inclusive of any annexure or attachment).
How are signatures to be affixed?
Where a document has to be signed, a facsimile of the signature must be affixed on the document by electronic means. Alternatively an image of the signed document may be submitted. Affidavits may only be filed electronically by sending an image of the document in a prescribed format and access to a scanner will be required for this purpose.
What cards are accepted?
The EFS allows you to pay on-line the fees relating to the document being submitted. Payment may only be made using VISA or MasterCard.
When are documents received and accepted at the Court and how are they returned?
A document is not accepted or filed with the Court until it is received, checked for completeness and accuracy and stamped by the Court. Documents received by 4.30pm (local registry time) are considered to have been received on that day. Documents received after 4.30pm will be noted as being received at the start of business on the following day.
Documents are returned either by email, fax, post or held for collection, depending on the preference of the sender (as stipulated on the EFS when sending the document).
How do I register as a user?
You may register as a user on-line through the EFS without any assistance from Court staff. Just click on 'Logon' and then the prompt under the 'Register as a User' heading and complete all the registration details. When you register as a user, the system stores most of the information you enter eg your name, address, contact details etc so that you do not have to re-enter it each time you send a document to the Court.
Step by step guide
Before you start using this guide please ensure that:
you have ascertained whether a fee is payable and if so have your credit card details on hand; and
you have completed and have on hand the forms/documents you wish to submit, (including any application form for waiver/exemption of fees), in the correct electronic format. Note that all forms, and guides on how to complete them as well as information on fees, may be downloaded via the hyperlinks under 'Filing Forms, Fees and costs' on the Court's website.
Select 'eCourt' from the Court's website main menu, then select 'Electronic Filing'. The electronic filing menu contains the options E-filing information, Logon and Tutorial. First time users are advised to read the e-filing information before proceeding.
Select Logon then, if you have registered as a user, enter your Name and Password and click on 'Submit'. If you have not registered as a user you will need to do so by clicking on the prompt under the 'Register as a User' heading and complete the registration details.
You are now presented with three filing options - (a) filing a new application/appeal, (b) filing documents in an existing case, and (c) re-submitting a document. Option (c) would be used only when Court staff advise you to re-submit a document that is deficient or defective for some reason. Click on the Proceed button next to the appropriate filing option.
The next screen contains the various forms you can file. Select the form number that you wish to file or select 'Other documents', then amend the quantity ('Qty' box) if you are sending more than 1 of that type of form, and finally click on the relevant box ('corporation' or a 'person/body') next to the fee amount. In some cases there will be no fee.
A box appears asking you to click 'OK' if you want to select another form or 'Cancel' if you want to proceed to the next screen. Remember that you may select more than one form in the one transmission as long as the total number of pages per document does not exceed 100 pages.
If you click on 'Cancel' you move to the screen that has sender's details, which you need to complete. Most of this information would be pre-set with the details you entered when registering as a user. Amend 'Registry in which you are filing' details if relevant. Then click on 'Submit'.
The next screen is where you attach your documents. Click on the 'Browse' prompt. Select the document you wish to send and click on it or on the 'Open' button to attach it. If you wish to have copies of the document returned to you in hard copy, scroll down and indicate the number of copies you require and the number of pages in the document - a fee applies for this service. You do not need to complete this segment if you do not want copies or if you want the document returned to you by email. Click on the 'Submit' button. The system prompts you with a message asking if you want to submit any further documents. Follow the procedure outlined above in this paragraph should you wish to submit further documents. Otherwise click on 'No'.
If the document you are sending does not attract fees, the next screen you encounter will be the final screen that provides you with a transaction number. Print this sheet and retain for your records. If fees are involved, you will move to another screen where you either opt to continue to payment or select the 'waiver/exemption' from fees option. The former takes you to the payment screen, the latter to a document attachment screen, to attach your waiver/exemption form (if you have already attached your waiver/exemption form in (7) above, you should select the 'continue to payment' option).
If you selected the waiver/exemption option, attach the document as in (7) above. If you opted for 'continue to payment', you move to the payment screen where you either enter details of your credit card and click on the authorisation to charge your credit card button, or click on 'Continue without Payment' giving reasons for non-payment in the remarks box.
The final screen contains details of your transmission and allocates a transaction number. Print this screen and retain for your records.
