Federal Judiciary Seeks Applicants for EPA Public User Group
The federal Judiciary is inviting applications for its EPA Public User Group, which advises on enhancing electronic public access (EPA) services. This group comprises up to 12 members from diverse sectors, including legal, commercial, media, academia, government, and the general public.
Application Process and Deadline
Applications are open until September 2, 2024. Interested individuals must submit an application form to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO). Selected members will serve two-year terms starting January 1, 2025.
Meeting Structure and Membership Criteria
The group meets annually in Washington, D.C., and virtually as needed. Members are chosen based on user type, PACER usage experience, frequency of use, account status, and commitment to peer feedback. Current members may reapply for a second term but can serve no more than two consecutive terms.
Group’s Role in System Modernization
The EPA Public User Group supports the Judiciary’s efforts to modernize the Case Management and Electronic Case Files system and PACER. Planned improvements include enhanced search functionality across the Judiciary for real-time court data, documents, and docket entries.
Past Contributions and Achievements
Formed in 2020, the group has significantly improved the Judiciary’s electronic public access services. Notable contributions include creating a pro se user page on the PACER website, enhancing the PACER Case Locator, and promoting the importance of RSS feeds among courts. Recently, the group helped refine the requirements for Case Preview, a new PACER interface feature providing users with a case summary.
About PACER
PACER offers immediate access to nearly all documents filed in U.S. courts of appeals, district courts, and bankruptcy courts. It serves as a central access point to over 1 billion documents from more than 200 federal courts. With over 30 years of operation, PACER has approximately 4.7 million user accounts.
