> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cottfile.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cottfile.com/getting-started/what-is-cott-efiling.md).

# What Is CottFile?

CottFile is the electronic court filing platform for Louisiana parish courts, built by Cott Systems. It replaces legacy paper-based filing, fax submissions, and the former Tybera eFlex system with a modern, web-based platform that lets you file documents, track cases, and manage court workflows from any browser -- desktop, tablet, or phone.

## Who Is It For?

CottFile serves six types of users:

* **Attorneys** -- Licensed attorneys who file on behalf of clients. Must register with a valid Louisiana bar number.
* **Pro Se litigants** -- Self-represented individuals filing on their own behalf. Receive a system-generated PIN for courthouse identification.
* **Organization administrators** -- Manage filing activity, team members, and billing for a law firm or agency.
* **Court clerks** -- Review incoming filings in a structured queue, accept or reject submissions, stamp documents, and record them into the court's case management system.
* **Judges** -- Review filings routed for judicial approval, sign orders, and return filings to clerks.
* **Court administrators** -- Configure parish settings including filing types, fee schedules, review queues, routing rules, staff accounts, and announcements.

## What Problems Does It Solve?

* **No more paper or fax.** File court documents electronically instead of printing, mailing, or faxing them to the courthouse.
* **File from anywhere, 24/7.** Submit filings from any browser at any time. Filings submitted outside business hours are reviewed on the next business day.
* **Faster turnaround.** Filings reach the clerk's queue immediately. No waiting for mail delivery or in-person drop-off.
* **Clear status tracking.** Know exactly where your filing stands -- Submitted, Under Review, With Judge, Accepted, or Rejected -- at any time from your dashboard.
* **Fewer errors.** Built-in validation catches missing information before you submit, reducing rejections.
* **Multi-parish filing.** One account lets you file across every connected Louisiana parish court.
* **Built-in PDF tools.** Split, combine, stamp, and redact documents without leaving the system.
* **AI Assistant.** A built-in chat assistant that understands your role and can look up real filing data to answer questions.

## How Does It Work?

The core workflow follows four steps:

1. **File** -- A filer submits documents and case information through the filing wizard.
2. **Review** -- A court clerk reviews the filing for completeness and compliance.
3. **Accept or reject** -- The clerk either accepts the filing (stamping and recording it) or rejects it with a reason. If rejected, the filer can correct and resubmit.
4. **Record** -- Accepted filings are recorded to the court's Verdict Case Management System (CMS), becoming part of the official case record.

If a filing requires judicial approval, the clerk routes it to a judge before final acceptance. Payment is charged to the filer's stored card upon acceptance.

{% hint style="info" %}
**📹 GIF:** The four-step workflow animation -- a filer submitting a document, a clerk reviewing it in the queue, the clerk clicking Accept, and the filing status changing to Recorded.
{% endhint %}

## What Does It Replace?

CottFile is the successor to the Tybera eFlex system previously used by Louisiana courts. If you previously used eFlex, you will need to create a new account in CottFile. Your case data from eFlex is not automatically migrated -- contact your court clerk's office for guidance on accessing historical filings.

## Key Features

* **Multi-parish filing** -- one account to file across every connected Louisiana parish court
* **Payments** -- filing fees charged on acceptance, with transaction history and receipts
* **AI Assistant** -- built-in assistant available to filers, clerks, and admins
* **PDF tools** -- split, combine, stamp, and redact documents without leaving the system
* **Organization management** -- attorneys can manage team members, billing, and preferences
* **Real-time notifications** -- email and in-app notifications at every status change
* **Drag-and-drop filing** -- drop PDF files anywhere on the page to start or add to a filing

{% hint style="info" %}
**📹 GIF:** The CottFile homepage showing the two portal cards (Attorneys & Public and Court Staff), the feature grid, and the documentation section scrolling into view.
{% endhint %}


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