From the list of filings assigned to you, or from the list of filings that need to be assigned, you link
to this screen to approve a specific filing.
The first item on this screen will be a note from the filer if there is one.
The second item is a Memo field to write a note to another clerk. The purpose
of this field is for when you need to reassign this filing to another clerk
and provide reasons why. Following the Memo field is a list of the notes previously
entered by other clerks regarding this filing.
The first section on this screen does not have a title but provides information
about the case. This section includes the following column headings:
- Docket No. -
This is the CMS docket number manually created in the CMS and
replicated here.
- Case Title - This is where
you enter the case title.
- DC Case No. - The district
court case number refelects at least one of the cases associated with this
filing.
- Submitted by - This column
represents who the filer was.
- Refresh button - The purpose of this button is to update the case
title from the case number. This allows you to enter a case number and press
the Refresh button. eFlex queries the CMS and returns a case title. Sometimes
the filer does not put the correct case number in the filing. This entire
section is designed to allow the clerk to double-check on the case number
and make sure it is the right one before submitting the filing information
to the CMS.
The second section does not have a title but provides information about the filer. In this section all the fields that can be typed
in are required fields. This section includes the following column headers:
- Document Category - This is
the category selected by the filer.
- Received Date/Time - The
Received Date/Time stamp is asssociated with when a filing is received by the
clerk review process. This field can be edited but should only be done with
caution and following the instructions of the Lead Clerk. It is possible to
reassign a filing that may need a time change and enter a note asking the Lead
Clerk to perform this action.
- Calendar icon - This icon is associated with the Received Date/Time
and provides a graphical calendar to change the date.
The "Case Participants" section includes multiple lines and manages the adding
or editing of party information.
- Participant Name - The name
of a participant on this case.
- Role - The role of the
participants named on this entry.
- Edit Party Info - Links you to Edit or Add participant information
on this case.
This next section does not have a title. Each entry in this section represents
a document included in this filing. In this section all the fields that can
be typed in are required fields. This section includes the following column
headers:
- ! exclamation - The red exclamation mark identifies that the emergency
button was selected by the filer.
- Sealed - A checkbox if you
feel this document should be flagged as sealed in the CMS.
- Document Link - This is a
link to the actual document. If you click on this link it will launch a
separate window and depending on how your browser is configured will either
display the document in the browser or launch the application associated with
the document to view it.
- CMS Document Category -
This is a filter for the next column. Since there are many types of documents
this filter will limit the number of document types displayed in the next
column.
- Document Type - This is
where you identify the document type code that will be recorded in the CMS for
this document. You should click on the link to view the document and then
determine what document type code to enter here.
- Document Name - This is
additional text that is recorded in the CMS as the document name. It could
also be considered additional descriptive text for the document.
- Graphical Edit Icon - If there is additional data associated with
this document this icon will display. By clicking on this link you can review
and edit any information associated with this document.
The next section is not titled and includes multiple lines that deal with the fees. The following column headers are included:
- Original Fee - The original
fee included by the filer, if any.
- Original Payment Method -
The original payment method used by the filer, if any.
- Adjusted Fee -
The clerk can change the fee amount in this fee.
- Payment Required -
radio button for clerks to identify if a payment is required.
- Waived - pulldown menu for clerk to identify why
payment was waived.
The next area is titled "Special Filing Instructions". The following items are included:
- Select option - This
provides default text to be included in the memo area below.
- Memo area - The area where you type any instructions to be returned
to the filer.
The last area titled "Action" includes the following radio button options:
- Approve - The Approve
button will update the CMS and return a receipt to the filer that the filing
was entered into the CMS.
- Reject - The Reject button
will not update the CMS but will return a receipt to the filer stating that
the filing was not entered into the CMS with the reason typed in the Special
Instruction area.
- Reassign To - This pull-down list allows you to assign this filing
to another clerk. This should be used when you do not feel you can act on
this filing without further information from a Lead Clerk that you are assigning
the filing to. The Lead Clerk may enter a note or instructions for you in
how to complete this filing and it may be reassigned to you for completion
with their note.
The two buttons at the bottom of the screen are:
- Back - this button returns
you to the screen "Filings Awaiting Approval."
- Next - this button takes the action based on the radio button selected in the Action section.
