Chief Judge Janet DiFiore

ALBANY — Starting this month, the four departments of the Appellate Division will begin electronic filings for certain appellate matters and original proceedings.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced last month during her State of the Judiciary address that electronic filing, known colloquially as e-filing, would begin at the four departments of the Appellate Division through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system.

As of March 1, electronic filing for the Appellate Division, First Department for appeals in commercial matters originating in state Supreme Court in Bronx and New York counties commenced. Electronic filings are also accepted at the Appellate Division, Second Department for all appeals in matters originating and electronically filed in Supreme and Surrogate's courts in Westchester County.

As of March 1, electronic filing was available for the Appellate Division, Third Department for all appeals in civil actions commenced by summons and complaints in Supreme Court that originated in the Third Judicial District. For the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, electronic filing is available for all appeals in matters either originating or transferred to the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court in the Fourth Judicial District.

During the State of the Judiciary Address, DiFiore said electronic filing is a key piece of her Excellence Initiative, which seeks to end chronic backlogs in the court system and reduce the time it takes to dispose of cases. The court system is also working toward implementing electronic filing in Criminal and Family courts as well.