Press Release - April 10, 2013
Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System Pilot to Be Implemented in Norfolk Circuit Court
The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and George E. Schaefer, Clerk of the Norfolk Circuit Court, announce that the Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System (VJEFS), which allows attorneys to electronically file civil actions in circuit court, will be implemented as a pilot program in the Norfolk Circuit Court, beginning April 15, 2013.

VJEFS is a comprehensive automated system developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary to integrate with the circuit court clerks' offices' existing statewide Circuit Case Management, Case Imaging, and Financial Management Systems, thereby improving the efficiency of the clerks' offices.

The Norfolk Circuit Court pilot of VJEFS will allow filings in most civil cases. Initially, a limited number of attorneys will be registered to use the system, and expanded registration of attorneys will occur during the course of the Norfolk pilot. It is anticipated that VJEFS will be made available as a pilot program in other circuit courts within six months, and subsequently offered to all circuit courts throughout the Commonwealth.

"On behalf of the Supreme Court of Virginia, I am delighted to announce that the Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System is being launched as a pilot program in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk and will soon be offered statewide to all circuit courts. The Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System provides a service to attorneys, enhances efficiency in the clerks' offices of the circuit courts, and ultimately makes our courts more accessible."
- Cynthia D. Kinser, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Virginia

“The Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System promises to revolutionize how court clerks do business. Using this technology will free our offices from repetitive data entry, filing and scanning.”
- George E. Schaefer, Clerk of the Norfolk Circuit Court

About the Office of the Executive Secretary: The Office of the Executive Secretary provides administrative support and technical assistance for all of the courts and magistrate offices within the Commonwealth. This includes the training and education of all judicial branch employees, as well as legal research assistance for judges. This office also provides payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, human resources, planning, and grant services to the courts.   It supplies information technology, including Internet, e-mail, case management, and video technology to the courts and magistrates.

About the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office: The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a constitutional officer elected to serve an 8-year term. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office performs multiple duties, including serving as custodian of court case records, recording deeds, providing probate services, preserving historic records, acting as record keeper of election ballots, and issuing marriage licenses.

For more information on VJEFS, please contact Katya N. Herndon, Director of Legislative and Public Relations, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia at (804) 786-6455.  For specific information about the Norfolk pilot program, please contact Thomas A. Larson, Chief Deputy Clerk, Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office, at (757) 664-4392