Nowadays, many Internet users buy merchandise on Internet shopping malls. They say hello to friends through social networks like Twitter or Facebook. They also collect materials they need on the Internet instead of going to a library. Like this, the Internet makes us more comfortable and lots of things are being done on the Internet. Recently, we can file a suit on the Internet.
A lawsuit is a procedure through which a person or company takes problems or conflicts to a court of law to be settled. The Electronic Case Filing System (ECFS), introduced on April 26, 2010, is a system for people to start a suit on the Internet. Thanks to the system, people can submit documents related to a lawsuit on the Internet without going to a court themselves. Only patent lawsuits can be filed on the Internet this year. However, the range of lawsuits will be extended to administrative litigation, civil suits, and other suits by 2013.
Before the introduction of the ECFS, the parties to a suit had to go to a court or send a mail to submit documents related to a lawsuit. However, after the introduction of the ECFS, the parties to a suit can start the suit at any time through the Internet. After registration on the homepage of the Supreme Court (http://efile.scourt.go.kr), the parties to a suit can raise a lawsuit on the Internet. They can also check the progress of their suit and receive the ruling on-line.
There are many merits of this system. First, the period of a trial is shortened. Existing trials by mail take about 6 months, but the new trial by e-mail takes three or four months. Second, there is financial profit. The ECFS cuts down the cost of a lawsuit. It is not needed to keep documents on file because all files are saved in a computer. Therefore, the cost for filing is not needed now. In addition, transparency in the legal process also is strengthened because the parties to a suit can check the progress of the suit on the Internet.
Last July, there was the first decision through the ECFS. The suit was filed on the Internet on April 30 and the suit was decided 71 days later. Previous suits took 100 days on average. Compared with these decisions, the ECFS saves time.
The number of people using the ECFS has increased in recent months from 34% on May 25 to 38% on June 25 and 39.4% on July 7. However, this system is still in an early stage, so many people do not know this system yet. In addition, even the people using this system have difficulty in dealing with the ECFS. Consequently, the government should do publicity activities and inform people of the Web-site (http://www.lawjiwon.co.kr/). I hope people can raise a lawsuit more comfortably through this system.
