ELUHO manages and tracks cases for its three boards using an online database known as the Case Management System (CMS).
CMS allows free access to legal information on cases, historical and active. Users are able to do the following:
- File an appeal, Petition for Review, and case documents online.
- Download case documents that have been made public.
- View cases, historical or active, in an online, searchable database.
- See active cases on a real-time map.
CMS uses the Salesforce and Microsoft SharePoint Online platforms, which allow users and the public to access case documents and information through standard web browsers. Individuals may search for information and documents online and may download documents from the system. Documents accessible to the public are stored in Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat formats.
The CMS platform conforms to standards of the state Office of the Chief Information Officer but many of the accessibility features available are dependent on the web browsers being used. CMS cannot be used with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser and functions best when used with the Chrome browser.
Creating an Account
The public may view and download documents without creating an account but users are required to create an account to file an appeal or petition and perform other functions. Users will be able to file immediately after creating an account. There is no approval process for filing documents. However, newly filed appeals or petitions will not be available until ELUHO has reviewed them.
An account can be created by clicking the link to the CMS and creating a SecureAccess Washington account. More details about filing an appeal, petition, or case documents are on the web pages related to each board.
Other Things to Know
- Board Service is Done Online: The CMS will e-mail parties to a case notifying them of decisions.
- Serving Parties Remains Separate: Parties still must serve the other parties outside the CMS.
Document Details
The CMS has some requirements for document titles and format. Below are some examples.
- Documents must be uploaded one at a time and must be defined by document type (e.g., Motion to Dismiss, Response to Motion Reply) and name, etc.
- Documents cannot be larger than 4 GB in size and must be in PDF format. Smaller file sizes are preferred for overall usability.
- Document names must be less than 80 characters and may not include the following characters: ~ " # % & * : < > ? / \ { | }. These are standard for Windows and Macintosh filing systems.
- Attachments to declarations or motions (including exhibits) should be combined with the document that they relate to as a single document.
- Hearing exhibits for the Pollution Control and Shoreline Hearings Boards’ cases can be submitted in a single PDF, for example, Exhibit A, Exhibit B.
- All exhibits, including hearing exhibits, should include footers with page numbers (e.g., Exhibit A, page 1 of 12). Adobe bookmarks are helpful.
Trainings
These brief training guides fact sheets give you quick information on how to do the following: