Opinion
Administrative Order No. 2008-89
November 6, 2008.
The first enumerated goal of the 2005-2010 Strategic Agenda for Arizona's Courts is Providing Access to Swift and Fair Justice. Implementing electronic processes will help ensure that Arizona fulfills its commitment to improved efficiency and the reduction of delay for its citizens. Electronic filing employs modern technology to process cases and thus furthers the goal of improving Arizona's court system.
An informal survey of the Bar revealed that the vast majority of lawyers and law firms in Maricopa County possess technological equipment adequate to electronically file documents in the Superior Court. The Superior Court and Clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County possess technological equipment adequate to receive and process electronically-filed documents. Permitting attorneys and parties to voluntarily file electronically in the Superior Court in Maricopa County on a pilot basis allows the Court to further study the advantages and impact of electronic processes in the court system.
Now, therefore, pursuant to Article VI, Section 3, of the Arizona Constitution,
IT IS ORDERED that, on and after December 1, 2008, licensed attorneys and parties filing in the Superior Court for Maricopa County may electronically file documents in civil case types in accordance with the electronic filing guidelines referenced below. For purposes of this pilot program, "civil cases" do not include family, probate, mental health, tax, or juvenile matters, or special actions, transfers of jurisdiction, or lower court appeals cases.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that documents filed in the courtroom during a hearing may be completed and filed as paper documents. Upon filing, the Clerk shall create a scanned image of the paper document.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that court rules, including Maricopa County Local Rules, that require or allow paper copies to be provided to judicial divisions do not apply to electronically-filed documents in any electronic filing pilot division in the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court and the Clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County shall create and post electronic filing guidelines for implementing this Administrative Order. The electronic filing guidelines shall be posted online at: https://efiling.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/efilingguidelines/.
Dated this 6th day of November, 2008.
__________________________________ RUTH V. MCGREGOR Chief Justice