Rule 7 - Document and Other Item Submission(a)Methods of Submitting Documents for Electronic Filing. A filer may select one of the following methods to submit a document for filing through the electronic filing system, unless the type of document requires that it be submitted in only one of the following ways: (1)System-generated document. The filer completes a guided interview, questionnaire or prompts through the electronic filing system, and the system then generates a document for filing based on the responses and information provided by the filer.(2)Court-created form. The filer completes a court-created form and uploads the completed document to the electronic filing system.(3)Party-created document. The filer creates a document for filing and uploads the completed document to the electronic filing system.(4)Exhibits and attachments to a system-generated document, or to a completed court-created form, or to a party-created document. If the exhibit or attachment is a document newly prepared for filing, the filer prepares and submits the document using methods (1), (2), or (3), as applicable. If the exhibit or attachment is a preexisting document not newly prepared for filing, the filer scans and uploads the document to the electronic filing system.(b)Format of Documents Filed Electronically(1) All documents must be in Portable Document (PDF) non-editable format;(2) Hyperlinks and other electronic navigational aids may be included in an electronically filed document as an aid to the court. Each hyperlink must contain a text reference to the target of the link. Although hyperlinks may be included in a document as an aid to the court, the material referred to by the hyperlinks is not considered part of the official record or filing unless already part of the record in the case. Hyperlinks may be used to provide an electronic link to other portions of the same document or other portions of the court file. Hyperlinks to cited authority may not replace standard citation format for constitutional citations, statutes, cases, rules or other similarly cited materials.(c)Format of Documents Filed Conventionally. If a paper document is conventionally submitted to the court for filing, scanning and entry into the court's electronic case file, the document must be printed on one side, must be logically organized, and must be delivered to the court with no tabs, staples or permanent clips.(d)Original Documents and Other Paper Documents That Were Not Prepared for Electronic Filing(1) When a statute, court rule, or other law requires the filing of an original, as opposed to a duplicate copy, of a negotiable instrument or other document (see, e.g., Rule 1001 et seq. of the New Hampshire Rules of Evidence), the filer shall scan the original document and file the scanned document through the electronic filing system. The filer's submission of the scanned document shall be deemed a certification by the filer that the document scanned and filed is the original. The filer shall retain the original document for a period of no less than two years or until the conclusion of the case (including any applicable appeal period), whichever is later. Upon the order of the court, the filer shall immediately deliver the original document to the court or any other party for inspection.(2) For any other preexisting paper document, including a document containing a non-electronic signature (e.g., an affidavit from a prior proceeding, an offer letter, or a written cost estimate), the filer must scan the document before it is filed electronically. The filer's submission of the scanned document shall be deemed a certification by the filer that the document scanned is the original or a duplicate copy.(e)Attachments to Filings and Exhibits(1) An attachment or exhibit that exceeds the technical standards for the electronic filing system or is unable to be electronically filed must be filed with the court on CD or DVD only. When an attachment or exhibit is filed on approved media, a notice of exhibit attachment shall be filed through the electronic filing system.(2) Attachments and exhibits that cannot reasonably be filed in an electronically converted or scanned PDF format, such as bulky attachments, physical exhibits, and demonstrative evidence, shall be conventionally filed.(3) Attachments and exhibits that are in electronic format must meet the requirements specified in the Electronic Filing User Guide.(4) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, proposed trial exhibits shall not be submitted electronically. However, if directed by the court to do so, and by the deadline set by the court, parties shall submit proposed exhibits electronically prior to the trial or hearing in which the party intends to offer the exhibits for admission. To the extent that any proposed exhibit is confidential as defined in Rule 11(c), the filing party shall follow the procedures set forth in Rule 11. To the extent that any proposed exhibit contains confidential information, as defined in Rule 12(c), the filing party shall follow the procedures set forth in Rule 12(f). (5) Proposed trial exhibits shall be available only to the parties to the case and their counsel; however, once offered into evidence, exhibits are subject to public inspection, unless otherwise excluded from public inspection by statute, court rule or court order. Exhibits offered at trials or hearings that can be maintained in an electronic format shall be maintained electronically for purposes of the official court record.(f)Documents Submitted for In Camera Review. All documents submitted for in camera review shall be conventionally filed.N.H. Pil. R. Cir. Ct. Elect. Fil'g 7
Adopted by Order dated July 13, 2018, eff. as of the date set forth in a subsequent order of this court implementing electronic filing in the superior court. .