Judges Outline Accelerated Modernization of Case Management System

March 10, 2026

The new system will replace the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system (CM/ECF) that the courts have relied on for nearly three decades to manage heavy caseloads and carry out court operations. It is used by litigants to file cases and related documents, and it provides the public with access to over 1 billion court records.

It is anticipated that the district courts will be the first to start implementing aspects of the new case management system within the next year, followed by appellate and bankruptcy courts. The timeline for completion is two to three years sooner than originally expected.

In response to growing cybersecurity threats, the new system will incorporate state-of-the-art security features across all courts, with a focus on keeping records safe while improving functionality and reducing costs and risks associated with localized software applications.

Currently, six courts have been identified for testing the initial functional software components. The experience of these pathfinder court users will guide ongoing development and help to shape the Judiciary-wide rollout of these new tools. Improving the search functionality of the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system is a key component of the modernization project.