On January 1, 2014, electronic filing will become mandatory in Dallas County and other counties throughout Texas with a population over 500,000 people. By law, electronic filing will become mandatory in smaller Texas counties under the following schedule: County Population: Date: 200,000 to 499,999 — July 1, 2014 100,000 to 199,999 — January 1, 2015 50,000 to 99,999 — July 1, 2015 20,000 to 49,999 — January 1, 2016 20,000 — July 1, 2016

Courts in smaller counties can adopt mandatory electronic filing earlier by enacting local rules. Under the current law, electronic filing will be mandatory in civil cases in the district courts, statutory county courts, constitutional county courts and statutory probate courts.

The State of Texas has adopted a new efiling system, TexFile, which will become the primary vendor for filing and service of electronic documents in Texas courts. The Supreme Court of Texas recently published proposed changes to the Texas Rules for efiling, which are available here: http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/tx/SCOTXDraftEfilingRules.pdf. The rules modify the timing and service requirements for pleadings, among other things.

On June 14, 2013, Texas adopted a new fee shifting model for electronic filing fees. Filers will shift from paying per transaction to paying a one-time filing fee per case. The one-time filing fee per case will range from $5 to $20. Under the new system, firms can use existing e-filing vendors. TexFile, however, will not impose a per-transaction convenience fee for filing. Other electronic filing vendors may still impose convenience fees.

Klemchuk LLP is an Intellectual Property (IP), Technology, Internet, and Business law firm located in Dallas, TX.  The firm offers comprehensive legal services including litigation and enforcement of all forms of IP as well as registration and licensing of patents, trademarks, trade dress, and copyrights.  The firm also provides a wide range of technology, Internet, e-commerce, and business services including business planning, formation, and financing, mergers and acquisitions, business litigation, data privacy, and domain name dispute resolution.  Additional information about the IP law firm and its IP law attorneys may be found at www.klemchuk.com.

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