Judiciary Expands eCourts Initiative to Tax Court

TRENTON – The New Jersey Judiciary has expanded eCourts to include cases filed in the Tax Court, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced March 2.
“The expansion of eCourts into the Tax Court brings us one step closer to becoming a paperless court system,” stated Rabner in a release. “I am pleased with the progress we have made in developing our electronic filing and case management systems, which will enable us to serve litigants, attorneys and the public more efficiently and effectively.”
The Tax Court began accepting electronic filings from registered attorneys on Feb. 9. Attorneys can file new complaints and case information statements in local property tax cases electronically through the eCourts portal at njcourts.com.
The data is entered automatically into the tax court case management system. The system automatically assigns a docket number and creates an electronic case jacket that is accessible for attorneys to inspect all of the submitted documents in that case. The eCourts system also sends electronic court notices to the parties in the case, eliminating the need to mail paper notices.
The eCourts system also allows attorneys to file documents and pleadings on existing Tax Court cases concerning property taxes. The Judiciary’s eCourts system is designed to accept documents filed online, to provide real-time remote access to electronic case filings to judges, attorneys, and court staff simultaneously, and to store and retrieve electronic documents after the case has concluded.
The eCourts framework builds on previous e-filing initiatives in the municipal and civil divisions. These systems set the foundations for eCourts through the e-filing of more than 300,000 civil cases annually.
The municipal court system has enabled law enforcement to file about 5.5 million new municipal court cases since 2009.
The Judiciary began implementing eCourts for use in criminal cases in 2014. As resources allow, the Judiciary’s eCourts system will be enhanced to allow its use in other case types.
Over time, the eCourts initiative will prove itself not only convenient, but fiscally sound. Electronic filing will reduce the costs associated with filing case documents, sending court notices through the mail, and storing paper files. It will streamline the work of judges and court staff and allow for greater public access to the courts.
The system is the result of a multi-year project led by the Information Technology Advisory Committee chaired by Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts. Its goals were laid out in the 2009 report of the Special Committee on Electronic Filing, formed by Chief Justice Rabner in 2008.
The committee suggested that the Judiciary should develop a comprehensive e-filing system that addresses document filing, case management, records management, and public access. It recommended that the courts adopt a standard format for e-filing so that attorneys, judges, court staff and others can become familiar with one system, even if they work in different practice areas. The system should enable remote access to case files and should be Web-enabled for maximum accessibility.