> 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/judge-guide/reviewing-a-filing.md). # Reviewing a Filing When you click a filing row in your inbox, the review screen opens. This is a split-panel layout with the document viewer on the left and the filing details panel on the right. ## The Review Layout * **Left side** -- a PDF viewer showing the filing's documents * **Right side** -- a details panel with filing information, document list, and action buttons * **Drag handle** -- the divider between the two panels can be dragged to resize. Double-click it to collapse or expand the details panel. A breadcrumb bar at the top shows your path: **Inbox > Court > Case > Filing Number**. The filing number appears in a tab with a status badge that tells you where the filing stands: | Badge | Meaning | | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Pending Signature** | The filing is waiting for your signature | | **Signed — Pending Your Release** | The judge has signed; judicial staff are finishing edits before releasing it to the clerk | | **Signed** | You signed the filing | | **Returned** | You returned the filing to the clerk | | **Denied** | You denied the filing | Click "Inbox" to return to your inbox at any time. When the details panel is fully collapsed, a floating action bar appears at the bottom of the screen with a **Sign Filing** button and an **Expand Panel** button so you can quickly act without re-expanding. Once you have acted on a filing, it becomes read-only. The footer tells you why: * "You've already signed this filing. It's read-only now." * "You returned this filing to the clerk. It's read-only now." * "You denied this filing. It's read-only now." {% hint style="info" %} **📹 GIF:** The judge review screen layout -- the PDF viewer on the left showing a document, the details panel on the right with filing info, dragging the divider to resize, and collapsing the panel to show the floating action bar. {% endhint %} ## Filing Details Panel The details panel is organized into numbered workflow steps: **Filing Info**, **Documents**, and **Chambers Notes**, followed by the return panel. ### Step 1: Filing Info This section shows key details at a glance: * **Case Number** -- the case number, or **NEW** for a new-case filing * **Received** -- how long ago the filing arrived * **Filer** -- who submitted the filing * **Court** -- the court name (abbreviated for long names) * **Case Type** -- the case type, with **Filing Type** showing the subtype * **Case #** -- the case number (shown again when filed on an existing case) * **Clerk** -- the clerk who routed the filing to you ### Parties If the case has parties on file, you can expand the **Parties** section to see each party's name and role (Plaintiff, Defendant, Petitioner, Respondent, etc.). ### Clerk Routing Note If the clerk included a note when routing the filing to you, it appears in a highlighted box below the filing info. Read this carefully -- it often contains context about why the filing needs your attention or what action the clerk expects. {% hint style="info" %} The routing note is set by the clerk when they send the filing to you. It cannot be edited from the judge portal. {% endhint %} ### Step 2: Documents The document list shows all documents in the filing. Each document displays: * **Title** and document type * **File size** * A **Lead** badge on the primary document * A **seal icon** if the document is sealed Click any document in the list to view it in the PDF viewer on the left. The selected document is highlighted with a ring outline. ### Step 3: Chambers Notes **Chambers Notes** are private sticky notes on the filing, shared between you and your judicial staff. Use them to flag things to look at, record your reasoning, or leave instructions for staff -- and read notes your staff left for you. The step heading shows a count of notes on the filing. {% hint style="info" %} Chambers notes stay inside chambers. The clerk and the filer never see them. {% endhint %} ## Reading Documents The PDF viewer displays the selected document. You can scroll through pages and switch between documents by clicking them in the details panel. ## Editing a Document If a document needs changes before you sign -- fixing a date in a proposed order, striking a line, adding a short note -- use the inline editor: 1. Select the document you want to change in the document list. The editor works on whichever document is selected, not just the lead document. 2. Click the **Edit** button (marked "beta"). The document opens in the **Edit document** editor. 3. The editor has two tabs: * **Markup** -- add text and draw directly on the pages. New text defaults to a comfortable reading size, and text boxes are transparent so they sit cleanly on the page. * **Signature boxes** -- place boxes marking where a signature should go. 4. Click **Save** to apply your changes. Your markup is burned into the PDF -- it prints with the document and flows into the signed version. Click **Cancel** (**Close** on the Signature boxes tab) to leave without saving. If you try to leave with unsaved changes, a dialog asks **"Discard edits?"** -- "You have unsaved changes to this document. If you leave the editor, your edits will be lost." Choose **Keep Editing** or **Discard Edits**. {% hint style="info" %} **📹 GIF:** Editing a document -- selecting a document, clicking "Edit," adding a text markup on the Markup tab, switching to the Signature boxes tab, and clicking Save to burn the changes into the PDF. {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} The **Sign** button is disabled while the editor is open. Save or discard your edits first, then sign. {% endhint %} After saving, the PDF viewer updates to show the modified version. When you sign, your edits are included in the signed document. ## PDF Tools Below the document list, you have access to PDF tools for: * **Margins** -- toggle margin guidelines on the document * **Redact** -- coming soon. The button is currently disabled * **Deny** -- place red "DENIED" stamps when you are denying all or part of the filing rather than signing it as-is (see [Signing and Returning](/judge-guide/signing-and-returning.md)) * **Organize** -- rearrange or split documents if needed --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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