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Electronic Services
eCabinet Electronic Filing
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 E-Filing
Web Portal
E-Filing (“eCabinet”) is
here for the State of
Vermont Superior Court!
Filing of new cases started
October 18th,
2010 in the Civil Division
of the Rutland and
Windsor Units.
E-Filing Rules of Procedure
During 2011, eCabinet
will roll out to the Civil Division of the
remaining Units of the Superior Court, and
then out to the Family, Criminal, and
Environmental Divisions.
eCabinet is the first step into the world of
electronic filing. It
will be enhanced with more electronic filing
features when the Judiciary introduces its
new case management system (“VCase”) in
2012.
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How To Videos
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Frequently Asked Questions
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 eCabinet-Filings | | Is e-filing available in all case types in all unit/divisions? |
Not at present. On Oct 18, 2010 you will only be able to file via eCabinet to the Superior Court, Rutland and Windsor Civil divisions. In addition, not all civil cases are supported in the beginning (e.g., you cannot e-file to create a new small claims case or stalking/sexual assault case). You can only file new cases or additions into electronic cases (created either by eCabinet or from a paper filing after Oct 18).
-- Note: The system will display an error message if you attempt to use eCabinet to file using a docket number for a case that is "not electronic" (i.e., all cases initiated for the listed case types before Oct 18).
** Please note the 2010.12.15 Rule Ammendment (link is on this webpage) - electronic filing via eCabinet will be MANDATORY in Rutland and Windsor Civil Divisions starting January 26, 2011. Electronic filing remains optional for self represented litigants. **
The system has several drop-down list fields on the first screen of filing (called "Case Info" screen) you will see after logging in to e-file:
-- Court type/ Unit/ Division
-- Case type/ Case subtype.
The values in these drop-down lists control where and what types of cases you can start electronically as a "new case" file. Over the next several months we will gradually add new unit/divisions as well as case type/subtypes.
This Judiciary website will announce when new filing capabilities are added to additional units and divisions. Rollout plans are still under review at this time.
| | Can I attach a WordPerfect document? |
No. eCabinet only accepts attachments in Word (.doc, .docx) or .pdf format. NOTE: .pdf attachments are highly recommended because Word documents can sometimes have leftover "change tracker" or other marks in them; this cannot happen in a .pdf. For more information on how to create a .pdf attachment please watch for course on this topic to be given by the Vermont Bar Association.
| | What is an eCabinet training webinar? |
There are two types of attorney (and attorney's staff) training: webinars given by the Judiciary and classes given by the Vermont Bar Association.
JUDICIARY TRAINING WEBINARS:
Judiciary training webinars are open to anyone who will use eCabinet. You do not have to pre-register to attend a webinar - the Training Slides and Logon Instructions are included in the blue links section of this web page (lower left). There is a 50 person limit per webinar, so the logons are first-come-first-served at the time of each webinar.
If you have specific questions (or to send comments to us after a webinar), you may email jud-helpdesk@state.vt.us with "eCabinet Training" in the email SUBJECT line.
The Judiciary has developed a short (approximately 1 hour,15 minutes) webinar to provide an overview of how to register and file using eCabinet. The webinar is presented via:
-- A set of powerpoint slides shown via a web service called "iLinc". You may download a copy of the training slides from the blue links section in the lower left portion of this web page. Use the webinar Logon Instructions (also included on this page in the blue links below) to prepare your computer and log onto the iLinc site to see the slides.
-- A conference call session. Use the Logon Instructions to dial in for the audio portion of the webinar with the toll-free number and password (There will be no "voice over IP" service from the webservice.) NOTE: Please use *6 to mute your phone to cut down on background noise.
-- Anyone may join one of these webinar training sessions. There is no charge for a Judiciary webinar training session. Each session can hold a maximum of 50 participants.
-- We schedule a training webinar periodically. Generally we try to hold a webinar about once or twice a month. Please watch the Events schedule on this webpage.
** Note: If we have nobody connected to the webinar within 5 minutes after the posted start time we will not continue with that training session. As of 1/21/11, we will discontinue sending out individual emails to announce the webinar, since pre-registration is no longer necessary; please use the slides and Logon Instructions posted in the blue links section of this web page. **
Vermont Bar Association training classes: Please see the Vermont Bar Association website for classes and schedule.
| | Does personal data (like name, phone, email) update all Court systems? |
No. The only data entered into eCabinet that will update other courts systems are:
-- Handling Instructions: will be generated to an electronic document, stored in the court's case file, similar to a "cover letter"; and
-- .pdf documents attached to the filing will, of course, become part of the official electronic court case file.
All other data entered into eCabinet will be used by eCabinet only. It is important to note:
-- The filing registration data -- name, email address, address, phone number -- will NOT update the Attorney Licensing database. Under A.O.#41 rules, you must contact Attorney Licensing with changes. Likewise, updating contact information (e.g., email address) with Attorney Licencing will NOT update the email/phone information in eCabinet. (further information: Section 7, A.O.41, see link listed on this website.)
-- Party information entered when filing an initiating document for a "new case" will NOT update the court's records for that case in the court's case management tracking system. If you have a question you should call the court.
| | What if I am attaching a document with confidential data? |
The eCabinet "document attachment" screen will ask, for every document, two "Rule 6" questions: (1) is the document you are filing public under Rule 6; and, (2) if the document is public does it contain data that is confidential and therefore redacted.
-- If the entire document is not public under Rule 6, you can indicate that to the system. It will be filed electronically with applicable security.
-- If the document is public, but has confidential data, the filer is responsible for redacting confidential data under Rule 6. The system will allow you to file two documents "clipped" together -- the redacted parent document and a second, connected document that contains the reference list of confidential elements (or an unredacted copy of the redacted document.)
-- If you file a public, redacted document with a confidential redacted document attached, you will see a "paper clip" icon next to the public document listed on the eCabinet "review filing" screen.
| | Can I see all electronic filings on a case? |
Once filings have been submitted to eCabinet the documents can be viewed as follows:
-- In their office or at home, registered eCabinet filers can see only the documents they have filed. A registered eCabinet filer can log on and view their filings via their eCabiinet "My Filings" screen. Home or office access to all electronic documents filed for a case is not expected to be available until late 2012.
-- For the first few weeks after Oct 18 the court will provide paper copies of the files at the counter much as they do today. However, in November, 2010, new "public terminals" will be available in Windsor and Rultand Civil divisions. When these terminals are available, the public and parties will be able to view all electronic filings at these terminals (with applicable security provided to confidential documents). This FAQ site will be updated with more "Public Terminal Viewing Options" when we are ready to roll out the public terminals.
| | Will the Judge have an electronic file on the bench? |
Yes, the Judges have electronic document images on the bench where eCabinet is available (e.g., in November, 2010 in Rutland and Windsor Civil Divisions). | | Why is "Filing Number" important? | Each time you successfully submit a "filing", the system will issue you a FILING NUMBER. That number is a unique to each filing and is important to help court staff find your filing. Examples: if you have a question ("Did you get that Motion I sent the other day in Filing # 12345?") or you choose to pay by sending a check ("This check is in payment of filing fees for Filing # 12345").
The system automatically records each successfully submitted filing. You can look up your filings by signing into the system and going to your "My Filings" screen. You can see the documents in each filing by clicking the "+" next to each filing row.
| | Can I set up eCabinet to send email notifications on a case-by-case basis? | No. The eCabinet Registration screens allows a filer to set up a maximum of three email addresses. eCabinet uses the specified email address(es) for all notifications. eCabinet does not have the capability to allow the filer to separate email notifications by case.
Also note:
-- Per Rule, the filer is required to update their eCabinet registration information within 24 hours of notifying Attorney Licensing of a change. It is very important to keep all email addresses current in eCabinet (via eCabinet; please do not call the court to update your registration information).
-- The Judiciary will not know if/when eCabinet sends an email from jud-noreply@state.vt.us to one of the emails you have specified, and your email(s) are not deliverable due to a bad address, etc. -- If you specify three email addresses, every notification from eCabinet will go to all the addresses simultaneously. Also, most email packages have routing features to allow you to route emails to others internally.
| | eCabinet-Technical | | Can I e-file a picture file (.jpg)? | Not directly. If you have a picture file it is most likely of type ".jpg" or ".jpeg" (often called a "jay-peg file"). You cannot attach this type of file directly to a Filing in eCabinet. You will need to convert the .jpg file into a .pdf file.
One way to do this might be to: open a new Word document, type in what the picture is, then insert the .jpg file ("Insert", then "Picture") into the Word document and save the Word document as type .pdf (in Word 2007). There are other software products on the market (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Standard or Pro) that can convert a .jpg to a .pdf. If you scan the picture, your scanner may be able to save the image as a .pdf.
| | What type of computer software do I need to file with eCabinet? |
Supported:
-- Windows PCs using Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.
-- Internet Explorer version 7 or 8 browsers. Note: you need "cookies enabled" and "JavaScript enabled", both are generally turned on in a default installation.
-- Software to create a .pdf document. Note: the system will also accept a Word document (.doc, .docx) but that is not recommended as it may contain additional "marks" in it (such as "change tracker" notes.
** The Vermont Bar Association is preparing a class on how to create a .pdf document, watch their website for details.
-- a scanner is optional, however, if you want to electronically file a document that you only have on paper you will need to scan in that document and create a .pdf image of it for efiling.
Not tested but may work:
-- Firefox 3.5
-- Safari on a Macintosh
NOT SUPPORTED:
-- Any other operating system (e.g., Linux) or browser (e.g., Chrome, Mozilla, etc).
-- WordPerfect files (you cannot submit a .wpd document).
-- Images of documents other than a .pdf (e.g., you cannot submit a .jpg attachment).
| | Does system save my work automatically? |
The system automatically saves your data as you go from screen to screen using the NEXT button.
-- As you go through the filing screens (Case Info, Parties, Documents, Payments etc) always use the NEXT button to continue. Using the NEXT button will save the data you just typed and go to the next screen.
-- When you are attaching documents, clicking the SAVE button at the bottom of the screen will upload the attachment file you have specified and then you will be prompted again to "Add Document" (you can attach more than one document to one filing session for one case) or click NEXT to continue.
HOWEVER . . .
-- You must not use your browser's "back/next" arrow buttons (in Internet Explorer, the arrow buttons in the upper left corner of the screen). If you use your browsers buttons, you will loose all your data for that filing and you will need to start again.
-- The system can time out! The time out is set for 2 hours. If you are in the middle of a filing and you leave your PC for more than 2 hours you will loose all of the data you entered for that filing.
-- The system does not currently allow you to save "work in progress". For example, you cannot add some attachments into a filing, save, and then sign on later and add more documents to the same filing. You should plan to have all your attachments for a case ready (in .pdf format) before starting a filing.
| | Can I use dial-up Internet access? |
Not recommended. eCabinet is a "browser based" system, designed for use over a broadband internet connection. You need to have either DSL or a cable modem internet connection, at a minimum. Also, the Judiciary training webinars also assume you are connected via a broadband connection and will probably not be feasible over a dial-up connection.
| | Why am I not getting emails from eCabinet? |
As you know the Vermont Judiciary's new electronic filing system went live on October 18, 2010 in the Rutland and Windsor Units' Civil Divisions. One critical and important feature of the system is that it provides automated email responses for various uses of the system. Emails are automatically sent for such things as registration, account activation, password changes, delivery confirmation, acceptance of filed documents, etc. The emails are sent by the system from the following email address: jud-noreply@state.vt.us. This address does not accept incoming email, it is used for automated outgoing messages only.
With the initial rollout of the system we provided registration emails to active attorneys. We have received some feedback that those emails were not received by the recipient although the system shows them as being sent. We are looking to see what may be causing the issue but we need your help to ensure emails being sent from the jud-noreply@state.vt.us are not being blocked as spam or junk email in your email system.
Please ensure that you include jud-noreply@state.vt.us into your safe senders list under whatever email system you are using. Your email system's support staff should be able to help you do that. As use of the system expands and we utilize email delivery from the courts, we will continue to use jud-noreply@state.vt.us and need your help to ensure there is no issue with delivery of such emails. Even if you are not currently using the e-filing system, performing this step will eliminate such problems in the future.
Other causes may be:
1) The email addresses (Primary, Optional email 1 and 2) in your eCabinet "Registration" may not be valid. You can verify and update your email address(es) by logging onto eCabinet, on the My Filings page, use menu item Account, choose My Profile from the drop down, and edit your email address(es).
2) From time to time the court may send you an email from the "court's" email address. Unlike our"noreply" email address, you can reply to these unitdivision format email addresses. If your email system is blocking any email from --@state.vt.us you should see if your email system can whitelist emails from our site. The court unit/division specific emails are in the general format of:
jud-unitdivision@state.vt.us.
For example, the Rutland and Windsor Civil Division email addresses are:
jud-rutlandcivil@state.vt.us.
jud-windsorcivil@state.vt.us
Currently (as of November, 2010) only Windsor and Rutland Civl have these accounts, but most of the other unit/divisions will be getting these email addresses as we roll out eCabinet to other courts in 2011. As new addresses are available they will be posted on this website.
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eCabinet Documentation and
Training Material |
Events
| Event | Date of Event | Further Information |
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| Judiciary eCabinet Training for Attorney's and Staff | | Read more about the "eCabinet training webinar" above in the FAQ section of this webpage. We currently have no training webinars scheduled at this time. If you are interested in a training webinar please send email to JUD-Helpdesk@state.vt.us.
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eCabinet Contact Us
Please contact us if you need help. If you are having
a problem with:
1. Registration or account problems(after Oct 16):
Contact the Judiciary Helpdesk via email at:
jud-helpdesk@state.vt.us
or call 1-802-828-4357.
2. Filing a document(after Oct 18):
Contact the court (Rutland or Windsor Civil Division) where you intend to
file your document.
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