Haw. JEFS Account Guide: JEFS-SRL-Guide-3-2023-ADA

SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS:

ELECTRONIC FILING AND DOCUMENT ACCESS IN YOUR CASE

If you do not have an attorney and are representing yourself, please read this carefully

as it contains important information on electronic filing of court documents and electronic

access to your case documents at no charge. If you answer “yes” to the following statements,

you may be eligible to use the Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS).

 Yes, I have a valid email address (not already used by another efiler);

 Yes, I have reliable access to a computer and the internet;

 Yes, I would be very comfortable filing all case documents online;

 Yes, I will follow the Hawaii Electronic Filing & Service Rules; and

 Yes, I would agree to receive all notifications from the court and other party(ies)

electronically.

If are comfortable with the above, please review the following information and keep it as

a resource as you request a JEFS account and for future reference.

1. What is the Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS)?

The Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS) is also referred to as Electronic

Filing or Efiling. JEFS allows registered users to electronically file documents for cases in

the Hawaii Supreme Court, Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, criminal cases in the

District, Circuit, and Family (Adult), and civil cases in the District, Circuit, Family, Land or

Tax Appeal Courts.

2. I already use eCourt Kokua, is that the same as JEFS?

No, eCourt Kokua is used by the general public for looking up case information and

purchasing court documents. eCourt Kokua cannot be used to submit or file documents

with the court.

3. Is JEFS and Court Document Drop-Off the same?

No, JEFS and the Court Document Drop-Off service are not the same. The Court

Document Drop-Off service only allows a user to submit a document to the court, the

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document is not automatically filed in a court case. The Court Document Drop-Off service

is currently available only in the Third Circuit (Hawaii island) Civil and Adult Criminal

Courts.

4. Is JEFS for attorneys only?

No, but Hawaii licensed attorneys are required to use JEFS. However, self-represented

litigants (“SRLs”) - individuals without an attorney - with an active case may use JEFS for

electronically filing of court documents. Non-attorneys are not required to use JEFS.

Individuals who do not have an attorney may choose to continue filing court documents

at the courthouse.

Please note: If you are represented by an attorney, you are not allowed to register as a

“Self-Represented Litigant”. Your attorney is required to electronically file documents in

your case through JEFS.

5. What cases can individuals without an attorney use JEFS to electronically file?

Individuals without an attorney may request a JEFS account – pending court approval – in

an active case in one of the following:

- Hawaii Supreme Court;

- Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals;

- Criminal case in the District, Circuit or Family (Adult) Courts; or

- Civil case in the District, Circuit, Family, Land Court or Tax Appeal Courts.

6. Can I file the initial court form (i.e. Complaint) through JEFS?

No, the initial court form or pleading must be filed in-person/”over the counter” and

then you will proceed to file in JEFS for all subsequent filings. The court clerk will help

initiate and create your case in JEFS.

7. I need help with setting up a JEFS account. Whom do I contact?

You must first register for a JEFS account. Use the “Register For Access” link from the

Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS) login page. Click the

JEFS Login and Self-Registration link if you need more information on how to self-

register.

A JEFS userid (i.e. your WEBU #) and password will be sent immediately to your primary

email address.

Once registered and upon receipt of your JEFS userid (WEBU #), please contact the

appropriate court (see below) to activate your JEFS account and for JEFS operational

help. Please have the case name and case number ready. Once activated as a JEFS user,

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the court will add your JEFS userid (WEBU #) to your case. You will then be able to

electronically file into that case.

For the Hawaii Supreme Court or the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals

Please direct all efiling questions to the Supreme Court Clerks Office,

808-539-4789 or email Appeals.COA@courts.hawaii.gov.

For Civil Cases

in the Family Courts

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-954-8101 FCCivil.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Second Circuit, Maui County 808-244-2998 DCCrim.2DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Hilo) 808-961-7400; CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

808-961-7500

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona) 808-443-2112 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Fifth Circuit, Kauai County 808-482-2673 JIMSQUERY.5CC@courts.hawaii.gov

For Civil Cases

in the District Courts

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-538-5888 DCCivil.1DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Second Circuit, Maui County 808-244-2998 DCCrim.2DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Hilo) 808-961-7515 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona) 808-322-8703 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Fifth Circuit, Kauai County 808-482-2673 JIMSQUERY.5DC@courts.hawaii.gov

For Civil Cases

in the Circuit Courts

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-539-4303 Civil.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Second Circuit, Maui County 808-244-2998 DCCrim.2DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Hilo) 808-961-7400 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona) 808-322-8750 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Fifth Circuit, Kauai 808-482-2673 JIMSQUERY.5CC@courts.hawaii.gov

For Land Court and

Tax Appeal Court

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-539-4303 Civil.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov

For Criminal Cases

in the Circuit Courts and

Family (Adult) Court

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-539-4300, Civil.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov

select option 5

Second Circuit, Maui County 808-244-2998 DCCrim.2DC@courts.hawaii.gov

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Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Hilo) 808-961-7400 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona): 808-322-8750 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Circuit Court

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona): 808-443-2112 CFC.3CC@courts.hawaii.gov

Family Court

Fifth Circuit, Kauai County 808-482-2673 JIMSQUERY.5CC@courts.hawaii.gov

For Criminal Cases

in the District Courts

First Circuit, City & County of Honolulu 808-538-5888 DCCrim.1DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Second Circuit, Maui County 808-244-2998 DCCrim.2DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Hilo) 808-961-7470 DCCrimH.3DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Third Circuit, Hawaii County (Kona) 808-322-8700 DCCrimK.3DC@courts.hawaii.gov

Fifth Circuit, Kauai County 808-482-2673 DCCrim.5DC@courts.hawaii.gov

8. I am a defendant in a case, how do I request JEFS access in my case?

If you are a defendant in a case and are represented by an attorney, you are not allowed

to register for JEFS access in this case.

If you do not have an attorney, you will need to request a JEFS account with the courts

(see #7). Upon approval, you will be issued a JEFS userid (WEBU#) and added to your

case. Thereafter, you will have access to the case filings and information, and can also

electronically file in that specific case.

9. Once I am a JEFS user for a case, do I have to file all subsequent documents through

JEFS?

Yes, once you agree to be a JEFS user for a particular case, you must agree to file all

subsequent documents through JEFS. You no longer may file “over the counter,” this

includes the Document Drop-Off service in the Third Circuit (Hawaii County).

10. I am registered and filing my case in JEFS in the Third Circuit (Hawaii County). Do I need

to provide “courtesy copies”?

If “courtesy copies” are required, it is your responsibility to print and deliver those copies

to the court for submission to the Judge. Refer to the Third Circuit Court JEFS Guide for

additional information.

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11. I am a registered JEFS user and have multiple active cases, but only see one of my two

cases on JEFS. Where is my other case?

You will need to contact the appropriate court (see #7) to request access for each case

you would like to activate in JEFS. Please have the case name and case number ready.

Upon approval, your JEFS userid (WEBU #) will be added to the case to access your case

and begin efiling.

12. What is a Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF)?

Once you agree to be a JEFS user, you will receive all electronic notice(s) in this case via

NEF, including but not limited to subsequent filings and hearing notice(s). A NEF is a

notification generated automatically upon the electronic filing of a document through

JEFS and sent by email to parties who are JEFS users or who have consented to service by

email.

WARNING: Once you are a JEFS user, you must agree to electronic notice going forward.

The court or the other party(ies) will not notify you in any other way of new filings or

hearing notice(s) in your case. You will receive NEF via email only throughout the life of

your case.

13. Are there are any references I can review to learn how to use JEFS?

Yes, there are a number of training videos and references that you can access at on our

Judiciary webpage: https://www.courts.state.hi.us/civiljefsinfo. These references include

but are not limited to:

- JEFS: 101 Overview

- JEFS: Submit Filing on an Existing Case

- JEFS: Manage Cases

- JEFS: Document Subscription

14. Are there specific rules I need to follow when I am filing online?

Yes, the Hawaii Electronic Filing & Service Rules govern filing in JEFS. Please also

familiarize yourself with the JEFS User Manual. Additionally, follow all Court Rules

located on the Judiciary website: Hawaii Rules of Court.

Please note: Improper use of the Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System to gain

access to confidential records or records filed under seal or in-camera may subject the

user to court-ordered sanctions.

For more information on JEFS, please visit the Hawaii Judiciary E-Filing page.

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