A subcommittee was appointed by the Civil Practice Committee of the Wichita Bar Association to study the adoption of an electronic filing procedure by the Sedgwick County District Court.  The subcommittee consists of Bruce Ward, Stan Smith, Jr., Judge Tim Lahey, Robert Fuqua and Keith Richey.

The subcommittee believes that the Sedgwick County District Court should move as quickly as possible to adopt an electronic filing procedure in the civil department.  If adopted, such a procedure would significantly reduce the amount of paper handled by the clerk’s office which would allow all work of that office to be handled more efficiently.  This would benefit all groups dealing with that office (bench, bar, sheriff, and the public).

A committee should be formed immediately to study this issue further.  The committee should consist, at least, of the following:

a.  Chief Judge of the District Court
b.  Civil Presiding Judge of the District Court
c.  District Court Administrator
d.  Clerk of the District Court
e.  Clerk’s Deputy in charge of Civil Department
f.   Sedgwick Co. Sheriff’s Deputy in charge of civil process
g.  Court computer programmer
h.  Bar members (at least one from Chap. 61 and Chap. 60)

1.  Go to Topeka to view the Shawnee County District Court electronic filing procedure now operating in that court.

2.  Discuss with the appropriate people in Shawnee County the computer equipment and software necessary to implement electronic filing and the cost of same.

3.  Explore possible sources of funding for the purchase of the equipment and software.

4.  Contact the Supreme Court to ask for assistance in setting up a pilot project similar to the project in Shawnee County.

Dated: December 20, 1999.

Civil Practice Committee
Electronic Filing Subcommittee

_______________________________
Bruce Ward, Chair
Stan Smith, Jr.
Judge Tim Lahey
Robert Fuqua
Keith Richey