Filing Documents tab

This tab provides the ability to add the documents that you intend to file with the court. Based on the filing type that you selected, the Filing Documents tab automatically displays the names of the corresponding documents that need to be submitted to the court. This step is the most critical part of the PACFile process since no filing can be submitted without the corresponding documents.

Acceptable Electronic Document Formats

All documents must be saved in the PDF file format.

This format is required because other files types might be difficult or impossible for the filing office to open. If you don't have a PDF conversion tool on your computer, many free programs are available for download via the internet that will convert your documents into PDFs. Alternatively, many copier machines with a scanning function have the ability to convert paper documents into PDFs.

Requirements for the submission of electronic documents.

 

 

Uploading vs. Attaching documents

Electronic documents can be associated to the appropriate filing type by using the Manage Documents or the Attach Documents method.

In 99% of instances, the Manage Documents icon Manage Documents icon should be used to upload documents to PACFile from your computer or a movable storage device (ex. memory stick). Clicking this icon for any filing type opens a popup screen that allows you to browse to the location where the document is saved. Only one document can be selected at any given time, but you can repeat this process if you need to upload multiple documents to a given filing type (ex. a redacted and unredacted version of a document). If this situation does not apply, do not add any unnecessary documents. When necessary, this process can then be repeated for any additional filing types.

The Attach Documents icon Attach Documents icon allows you to locate any electronic documents associated to the case from its Superior, Commonwealth, or Supreme Court history. This option is almost exclusively limited to Supreme Court filings because its use is dependent on the case having a preexisting Appellate Court case history.

 

 

Assigning a Confidentiality to a Document

After uploading a document to your filing, a dropdown menu appears to the right of the document’s name. You must select one of the following options that describes the document as it relates to the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania ("Policy"):

Confidentialities

  • Not Confidential - Unredacted - The document contains no confidential information or redactions based on Section 7.0 of the Policy and is not considered a confidential document under Section 8.0.

  • Redacted - The document contains confidential information (i.e., social security numbers, driver license numbers, financial account numbers, etc.) that has been redacted based on Section 7.0 of the Policy. The sensitive information must be redacted and replaced with alternative references, which are indirect citations that refer to the unredacted information on a corresponding Confidential Information Form. When a redacted document is added to a filing, a Confidential Information Form must be uploaded separately and categorized as Confidential Information Form.

  • Confidential - Unredacted - The document contains sensitive information that is visible to a reader. Unless the corresponding case is exempted from public access, an unredacted confidential document must be submitted with a redacted version or a Confidential Document Form.

  • Confidential Document - The document is considered wholly confidential based on Section 8.0 of the Policy. These documents (i.e., financial source documents, a minor’s educational records, medical records, etc.) contain sensitive information that is visible to any reader. When a confidential document is added to a filing, a Confidential Document Form must be uploaded separately and categorized as Confidential Document Form.

  • Confidential Document Form - Refers to the standardized cover page that identifies the submission of one or more documents considered wholly confidential by Section 8.0 of the Policy (i.e., financial source documents, a minor’s educational records, medical records, etc.). When a Confidential Document Form is added to a filing, the confidential document(s) should be uploaded separately and categorized as Confidential Document.

  • Confidential Information Form - Refers to the standardized document that contains any sensitive information (i.e., social security numbers, driver license numbers, financial account numbers, etc.) that was redacted in a corresponding document based on Section 7.0 of the Policy. When a Confidential Information Form is added to a filing, the redacted document must be uploaded separately and categorized as Redacted.

  • If you are submitting a filing with either of the following document combinations, it must be stressed that each document must be uploaded separately, to the same Filing Type, and with distinct confidentialities.

1. 

A Confidential Document Form and the corresponding confidential document.

2. 

A Confidential Information Form and the corresponding redacted document.

 

 

Viewing Uploaded documents

After uploading a document to a PACFiling, you may want to view it in order to verify that the correct document was selected. You can view a document through the Documents(s) column of the Filing Documents tab, by clicking the Document icon Document icon for the corresponding filing.

 

 

Filling Out an Online PDF for a Docketing Statement

Anyone who is filing a Docketing Statement has a third option for associating an electronic document to a PACFiling. For these filings, a Fillable Form icon appears that displays the type of docketing statement and the docket number when you hover your mouse pointer over the icon. The icon opens customized forms within the Fillable Form popup screen that are specifically formatted for the corresponding filing type.

These forms mirror the hardcopy versions mailed by the Superior Court and are designed to assist individuals who prefer to file electronically. Since the filing process is a new experience for some submitters, these forms act as a guide to help ensure all the appropriate information required by the court is included. Once completed, the information entered will be converted into a PDF document that will be submitted to the court. The VIEW DRAFT button at the bottom of the Fillable Form popup screen previews your content in a PDF format. Clicking OK saves your entries. The appearance of the Fillable Form icon Fillable Form Edited icon on the Filing Documents tab changes to reflect your saved work. You can come back and edit the form as much as needed prior to submitting the filing.

After completing the form, there are two actions that can be performed by clicking the Manage Documents icon Manage Documents icon that appears to the right of the Docketing Statement filing type. Within the Document Management popup screen, you must select a Confidentiality. In addition, if your work on the form is complete, you may want to click the Document icon Document icon to view and verify the PDF version of the docketing statement that will be submitted to the court.

 

 

Supplemental Document Requirement

A handful of filing types, like those for docketing statements or for initiating new Miscellaneous docket cases, display a list of supplemental documents that are conditionally required by the court. Each supplemental document is characterized by a checkbox that appears to the immediate left of its name (see picture below).

When these documents display, the checkbox for each document is selected automatically. This indicates that you should be submitting these documents with your filing when they are available. Any of these documents may be excluded from your filing, however, if you have a compelling reason, by clicking the corresponding Manage Documents icon Manage Documents icon and deselecting the Is Included checkbox in the Document Management popup screen. You should exercise caution when omitting a document. For docketing statement filings in particular, failure to submit any supplemental document without good cause may result in sua sponte action by the court that could include dismissal of your appeal.

If you choose to exclude one or more of these supplemental documents, you can opt to submit a document that explains your action. If multiple documents are excluded, you may combine your explanations into a single document and associate it to any one of the omitted document names listed.

Some filings types require the submission of supplemental documents.

 

 

Add Optional Filings

The primary filing type, or the key reason for initiating the filing, always displays in this tab by default. If additional documents need to be filed on the same case simultaneously, however, these can also be associated to your filing by completing the following:

1. 

Click on the Add Optional Filing icon Add Optional Filing icon.

2. 

In the Document Management popup screen, click on the Filing Type dropdown and choose the type that best describes the document you want to upload to your filing.

3. 

Select the Is Included checkbox.

4. 

Click the Add Document icon Add Document icon to add the new filing type.

5. 

Click the CHOOSE File button.

6. 

Upload or attach an electronic document to these filing types using the processes described above.

7. 

Click on the Confidentiality dropdown and choose the option that describes the document as it relates to the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania ("Policy").

8. 

Click the SAVE button.

This commonly occurs when an attorney needs to file an entry of appearance in the following situations:

  • An attorney, who did not represent the filing party at the lower court, is initiating a new Miscellaneous docket case. The case initiating document is always the primary filing on these submissions so the attorney needs to add the entry of appearance.

  • An attorney is attempting to join an existing Superior Court case. The entry of appearance is always the primary filing on these submissions, so if the attorney plans to file another document simultaneously, it needs to be added using the steps listed above.

 

 

Disclaimer

At the bottom of the Filing Documents tab, you are required to select the I acknowledge the foregoing Disclaimer checkbox in order to submit your filing. Please read the disclaimer carefully to make sure you understand your obligations regarding filed documents and confidential information.

 

 

Removing Documents

Any document that has been uploaded or attached to a filing type can be removed from the PACFiling by clicking the corresponding Manage Documents icon Manage Documents icon and then clicking the Delete icon Delete icon for the appropriate document in the Document Management popup screen.