Although most attorneys who currently have a case in the Western District have registered for e-filing, a substantial number have not.  

“Many attorneys may not realize that, as of May 1, 2012, if they are not registered for e-filing, they will not be able to participate in the appellate process,” Hardwick said. “Outside of a few exceptions for confidential sealed cases such as termination of parental rights and self-represented litigants, the clerk’s office will not accept any paper filings and will not be able to send court notices to attorneys unless they are registered for e-filing.”

To begin filing electronically, an attorney must register for a free account. Attorneys may register by going to https://www.courts.mo.gov and clicking on the box in the lower right-hand corner of the page. Attorneys will need their Missouri bar and PIN number, located on the lower right-hand corner of their bar cards, to register. Attorneys filing in confidential cases, however, cannot file through the Missouri eFiling System at the present time and should refer to Western District Special Rule XII, effective May 1, 2012.

Instructions regarding how to file petitions for writs, briefs, records and exhibits are available on the website at https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=48973. Attorneys with questions regarding compliance with electronic filing  rules should contact the clerk’s office at (816) 889-3600, but all questions regarding the system requirements, browser settings and technical issues with the Missouri eFiling System should be directed to the OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894.

The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, is headquartered in Kansas City but covers 45 counties in Missouri, ranging from Schuyler County in the northeast to Vernon County in the southwest portion of the state. It handles approximately 35 percent of the state’s intermediate appellate caseload.