The main benefit gained by registered users is the ability to file documents at the court without the need to attend the Registry. eLodgment is available 24 hours a day seven days a week, subject to the courts’ rules covering the electronic lodgement of documents. eLodgment will be available state-wide. eLodgment saves the firms and their clients the expense of sending an outside clerk down the court to lodge the documents. There are no extra filing fees for using eLodgment. Court issued documents are returned to the filing party electronically after filing.

eLodgment users can search basic information on civil files. The information that can be gathered from this functionality includes:

• Names of parties
• Parties representatives
• Case reference number
• Date lodged
• Hearings
• Index of documents lodged.

The registered user who is not a solicitor on the record will NOT be able to view any documents filed through eLodgment.

A registered user who is a solicitor on record to a particular case will be able to view documents lodged electronically in the court.

A document filed electronically is taken to have been filed on the date and time recorded in the Court’s electronic document system.

eLodgment automates the production and lodgement of court documents.

When creating a non-originating document the system automatically inserts into the document any information already in the system (e.g. party names). This level of automation means that the registered user can focus on the substance of the document.

Where the substance of the document requires the party to enter more than a few lines of text, eLodgment provides the party with the option of uploading a ‘Word’ document. The text entered, and any uploaded ‘Word’ document, are added to the proformas in the system to form the court document. The registered user has the option of reviewing the document in draft.

Once the user has settled the document, the user authorises it to be filed at the court. The document is automatically entered into the courts’ electronic file management system.

To use eLodgment you need to be a registered user. eLodgment is designed to be used by law firms, government departments and local municipalities. In order for the system to be efficient, it assumes a basic familiarity with the practice and procedure of the courts. As of 1 March 2018 self-represented litigants are now able to become a registered user.

Restrictions will apply for those declared Vexatious.

To register for eLodgment please download the Application for eLodgment, complete it and email it to the Courts Technology Group Help Desk. Also you should download and read the Registration Instructions together with the Electronic Trading Agreement for eLodgment and the Electronic Business Conditions of use.

eLodgment now allows for District Court civil documents to be lodged electronically including cases under the Civil Judgment Enforcements Act.

eLodgment is enhanced to include an auto list function for documents such as Entry for Trial, Chamber Summons, Form 6 Notice of Appeal, Applications in an Appeal, Applications for a Means Enquiry and Memorandum of Appearance in Commercial cases.

Some less frequently lodged documents will also have the auto listing function. These are Applications for removal of life disqualification from holding a motor drivers licence, Spent Convictions Applications and Extraordinary drivers licence Applications.

If a case requires an urgent listing then the parties will still need to make contact with the Court.

All changes came into effect on Thursday 1 March 2018.

• .doc
• .docx
• .pdf

See list of documents available.

Special software is not required to use the District Court eLodgment.

Yes currently the maximum size a document can be is 200MB or a maximum of 250 pages per attachment for an affidavit.

Courts Technology Group will provide technical support.

Courts Technology Group can be contact on (08) 9425 2645 between 8:15am and 4:45pm Monday to Friday or ctghelpdesk@justice.wa.gov.au at any time.

A party may under the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971 (RSC) O67A r10 present a document for filing via the Court’s electronic document system (EDS) with advice to the court that access is restricted whereupon the EDS will prevent any other party accessing the document. The presenting party must then file a memorandum within 1 day containing the information required by RSC Order 67A r11 which a court Registrar may change its classification.

The Parties will need to contact the Court for urgent listings.

There will be no change to the way cases are supressed in ICMS. The system will automatically supress as per the rules.

Documents and other cases will still be able to be supressed if an order of the Court requires this and this will be done by the Registry.

If a party lodges a document on the incorrect file then they should contact the court in writing as soon as possible to try and resolve the issue.

What is an eFile?

A Court file contains:

Original and copies of documents which have been lodged with the court

• Orders
• Judgments
• Correspondence
• Court filed documents

The District Court eFile will be the equivalent of a paper file and will be presented in a format that is accessible and searchable. This will contain the Court’s records of the proceedings. The District Court will maintain as paper files cases lodged prior to 04 July 2016.

All cases lodged after 04 July 2016 will be eFile and no paper record will be kept.

This does not preclude parties lodging documents in electronic format for case lodged prior to this date as the same procedures will be in place for case commenced via eLodgment today.

Will the District Court allow affidavits to be sworn electronically?

The position will remain governed by DCR r.20.

Are the requirements for affidavits changing?

No, the requirements for the filing of affidavits are not changing.

Will the court correspond with the parties electronically?

Yes, the Court will correspond with the parties electronically via their registered email address as much as is practicable.

Registered email address is the email address that is provided once registered for eLodgment (it is not necessarily the address provided in a Memorandum of Appearance).