About NextGen

The Federal Judiciary has developed a Next Generation (NextGen) Case Management/ Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system that will allow attorneys to use the same account for both PACER and electronic filing access.  

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas plans to implement NextGen on February 24, 2020.

Preparing for NextGen

Attorneys currently registered for CM/ECF must proceed as follows to file in NextGen:

1. Obtain your own individual PACER account or upgrade your existing individual PACER account.
2. Know your current CM/ECF Login and Password.
3. After the court installs NextGen on February 24, 2020- Link your PACER account with CM/ECF.

Frequently Asked Questions

• My law firm uses a shared PACER account. Can we continue to use that account?
  Each attorney must have an individual PACER account to use for electronic filing in NextGen. A law firm can create a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage the billing for all the individual accounts. Staff members who share a PACER account only for research can continue to share.
   
• How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?
  PACER accounts created prior to August 2014 may not be upgraded.  Upgraded PACER accounts have user names that are at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account. Go to https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ and click on Manage My Account to upgrade your PACER account.

• What happens to my CM/ECF account after the court transitions to NextGen?
  After the court upgrades to NextGen, you will link your current CM/ECF account to your PACER account. After the accounts are linked you will no longer use your CM/ECF username or password.
   
• I linked my CM/ECF account when the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas and/or the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals converted.  Do I have to link my account again?
  Yes, you must now link your PACER account to your U. S. District Court – Eastern District of Arkansas CM/ECF account before you can file in District Court.
   
• I am admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas but do not have an e-filing account.  How do I register for e-filing?
  You must log into your PACER account and request e-filing registration with our Court.  Click here for instructions.

Help

For assistance with creating a PACER account, please contact PACER at 1-800-676-6856 or visit the PACER website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/. For assistance with your current CM/ECF login and password or linking your account after the court transitions, contact the Clerk’s office at 501-604-5351 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time).