E-court. How Does It Work?

1. What is the e-court?

It is a system of electronic document flow that allows to use a number of court services right from your smartphone or computer.

2. What exactly does the e-court system allow you to do?

The main function of the e-court is to provide a possibility to file and receive court documents online. Additional features of the e-court include:

- checking up on procedural actions of the attorney in your case;

- receiving notifications about lawsuits filed against you;

- following the course of proceedings in your case;

- receiving rulings, subpoenas, and other documents;

- paying fines and court fees.

3. What are the documents that you can file in e-court?

Right now, you can initiate 5 types of legal action online: child adoption, termination of someone’s parental rights, recognizing someone as an unlawful detainer, revision of voter lists, eviction.

4. Who can use the e-court system?

The e-court system can be used both by legal professionals—judges, attorneys, and prosecutors—and by regular citizens.

5. Is the e-court already operational?

Yes, since June 2018 it is running in test mode in several courts, and starting from December 2018, it will be available for all courts.

6. What do I need to do to be able to use e-court functions?

To register in the e-court system, you need to have a mailbox registered on the website of the e-court as well as a digital signature.

7. How do I get a digital signature?

You can create a digital signature and obtain a certificate and digital keys at accredited Centers of Key Certification. A list of these centers can be found on the website of the pertinent registry.

8. What do I do after I have registered?

After registration, you will have your own personal profile on the website. From there, you can access all of the system’s features. For example, you will be able to email information requested by the court as part of the discovery process, put together a complaint using a template, view the progress of your case, check the date of the next hearing in the calendar.

9. Will other types of services be provided electronically?

Yes, with time, more electronic services will be made available, but even those that are available right now make communication with the court and with other parties to the case easier and faster.