Vt. Memo to the Bar, Jan. 22, 2021

SUPREME COURT OF VERMONT

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR

PATRICIA GABEL, ESQ. Mailing Address

State Court Administrator Office of the Court Administrator

patricia.gabel@vermont.gov 109 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05609-0701

Telephone (802) 828-3278

FAX: 802 828-3457

www.vermontjudiciary.org

TO: Members of the Vermont Bar

FROM: Patricia Gabel, Esq., State Court Administrator

RE: Court Administrator Directive PG-15 Electronic Filing (ICEWOLF) and Odyssey

Filing Info

DATE: January 22, 2021

For your information, please find:

• Court Administrator Administrative Directive PG-15 – Electronic Filing ICEWOLF

• Odyssey and Electronic Filing Information

I. COURT ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTIVE

Court Administrator Administrative Directive PG-15 – Electronic Filing ICEWOLF

This directive was signed on January 21, 2021.

Pursuant to 2020 Vermont Rule for Electronic Filing 1(d), the Court Administrator authorizes

electronic filing to commence in all divisions of Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille,

Orleans, and Washington Units beginning on March 15, 2021.

Please see information below regarding efiling and training opportunities.

II. ODYSSEY AND ELECTRONIC FILING INFORMATION

The Vermont Legislature has appropriated CARES Act funds for a grant to Vermont Legal Aid

to cover the cost of the Tyler eFiling use fees though March 31, 2021, to ensure all court users

have timely access to justice as the judicial system resumes operations relying on greater digital

remote online processes to ensure public health and safety after closure due to COVID-19. During

this period, the Tyler eFiling use fee will not be charged to filers but will be charged to the CARES

Act grant to Legal Aid.

The Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington trial courts will

begin using Odyssey on February 1, 2021, and electronic filing through Odyssey File & Serve is

scheduled to commence on March 15, 2021. Odyssey and electronic filing are already operational

in Addison, Bennington, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Windsor, and Windham trial courts and the

Environmental Division and the Judicial Bureau. Please use the following links to access Odyssey

electronic filing and portal systems and for more information.

Odyssey File & Serve. Odyssey File & Serve (OFS) is the platform through which you will

electronically file with the courts. To access OFS, please visit https://vermont.tylerhost.net/ofsweb

You can access user guides through the “User Guides” link in the “Self Help” window. You can

also access docket specific user guides on the judiciary’s website at

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/about-vermont-judiciary/electronic-access/electronic-filing

For technical support regarding Odyssey File & Serve, please contact Tyler Technologies at 800-

297-5377 or efiling.support@tylertech.com

Odyssey Public Portal. The Odyssey Public Portal allows you to view your case files. To access

the portal, please visit https://publicportal.courts.vt.gov/Portal/ Before you can view your case

files, you must first register in the portal and then request elevated access. The Public Portal User

Guide contains instructions on how to register and request elevated access. You can read the user

guide on our website at https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/about-vermont-judiciary/public-portal

For technical support regarding the Public Portal, please contact the Vermont Judiciary’s

HelpDesk at Jud.helpdesk@vermont.gov When emailing, please write “Public Portal” in the

subject line.

FAQ. Please visit https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/odyssey for answers to frequently asked

questions and updates about the project.

Efiling Training Opportunities

Watch a pre-recorded efiling training webinar from the Vermont Judiciary. The judiciary’s

NG-CMS project team recorded a demonstration of how to use Odyssey File & Serve that you can

view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke2ouMDK4VQ&feature=emb_title

Register for a live efiling webinar with Tyler Technologies. Starting February 24, 2021, Tyler

Technologies will offer a series of live webinars on how to use Odyssey File & Serve. To register,

visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/8175684102182380812

Practice setting up your firm and submitting filings. For hands on practice, you can create your

firm, register users, and begin filing practice cases in the Vermont “Stage” environment. Be sure

that the web address includes the word “stage” (https://vermont-stage.tylerhost.net/ofsweb). The

Stage environment is available any time. Please note that submissions will only be reviewed

periodically, so you may not get a timely response on whether your practice submissions have

been accepted. The Stage environment is available now only for familiarity and direct hands-on

experience and is not a substitute for registering on the actual efiling site when you are ready.

Read Vermont specific efiling guides. The Vermont Judiciary’s website includes several efiling

guides to help you navigate Odyssey File & Serve. Visit https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/about-vermont-judiciary/electronic-access/electronic-filing and click on Odyssey File and Serve User

Guides to view the most updated versions.