Until recently, San Mateo County small claims actions had to be filed in person at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City. Electronic small claims action filings are now accepted, making that trip to the courthouse unnecessary.
SAN MATEO COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS CASES CAN NOW BE FILED ELECTRONICALLY. Those wishing to bring a small claims case in San Mateo County will no longer have to go to the courthouse to file their paperwork because electronic filing (“e-filing”) of small claims case documents is now possible.
WHAT IS E-FILING? Electronic filing (“e-filing”) is the electronic transfer of legal documents to and from the court, directly integrating data with the court’s case management system. It permits parties to file documents with the court and also to serve them on opposing parties directly from their computers through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). Electronic filing improves accuracy and provides better access to court records, and should result in significant cost savings to parties and to the court.
HOW IS E-FILING DONE? If you are e-filing documents, you must do so through a certified e-filing service provider (EFSP) company. Information on the process and certified “e-filing service providers” is available on the court’s website at: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/efiling.
WHAT DOES IT COST? The vendors will calculate the court fees due for any filing. The vendor will collect all amounts due (including filing fees) at the time the filing is submitted, and submit the payments to the court.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT E-FILING. For questions about EFSP registration, contact the vendor directly. For questions concerning the court’s e-filing requirements check the court’s website at: www.sanmateocourt.org/efiling.
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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO MEETINGS OF THE SAN MATEO COUNTY LAW LIBRARY FOUNDATION. The San Mateo County Law Library serves the legal research needs of approximately 8,800 people per year. Approximately 50 percent are local attorneys. The remaining 50 percent are members of the general public representing themselves in court. It costs approximately $850,000 to operate the library at full hours, full staff, full services and with up-to-date electronic and print subscriptions. Currently, 96 percent of the San Mateo County Law Library’s funding is derived from Superior Court filing fees, which have dropped drastically over the past 6 years: 43 percent since 2010. This drop has adversely impacted the Law Library. Its income has dropped from $841,000 in FY 2010-11, to $536,000 this fiscal year — a drop of $305,000 in income.
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In an effort to save the San Mateo County Law Library, the San Mateo Law Library Foundation was created in 2016 to assist and promote the Law Library through outreach, fundraising, advocacy and volunteerism. Donations made to the San Mateo County Law Library Foundation will maintain and restore the library’s legal resources and services for local attorneys and the general public. Those interested in attending meetings of the foundation are encouraged to do so. Meetings are scheduled for March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. at the law offices of Aaron, Riechert, Carpol & Riffle, APC, 900 Veterans Blvd., Suite 600, in Redwood City. The conference room is on the sixth floor. Parking garage available. For more information, or to indicate that you intend to attend meetings, write smcba@gryphonevents.com or call 368-4662.
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APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY. Applications for service on the 2018-19 Civil Grand Jury will be accepted until March 29. The next grand jury term commences July 1 and ends June 30, 2019. Anyone who has been a resident of San Mateo County for more than one year, who is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, of ordinary intelligence, sound judgment and good character, and with sufficient knowledge of the English language is eligible for selection. Elected public officials are not eligible. The court encourages all interested individuals to apply. Application forms can be obtained by writing Grand Jury Clerk, Court Executive Office, 400 County Center in Redwood City or call 261-5066 or on-line at: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/documents/grand_jury/application_form.pdf
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TUNE IN AND LEARN ABOUT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. Listen on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month to “Your Legal Rights,” a radio talk show hosted by Chuck Finney, Deputy District Attorney in The Consumer Protection Unit of the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Starting at 7 p.m. on 91.7 KALW-FM, Finney talks with experts on various legal topics, with listener participation at (415) 841-4134. The show is partially sponsored by the San Mateo County Bar Association.
Susan E. Cohn is a member of the State Bar of California. She may be contacted at susan@smdailyjournal.com.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.