7. Format of Electronic Documents
A. Text-Searchable Portable Document Format
Electronic documents should be in text-searchable portable document format (PDF) while maintaining the original document formatting. In instances where the electronic filer of the document was not the original drafter (e.g. exhibits submitted as evidence) and the circumstances reflect that a document cannot practicably be converted to a text-searchable PDF, the document may be scanned or converted to non-text-searchable PDF. The electronic filer is responsible for ensuring that any document filed is complete and readable.
B. PDF Page Labels
To facilitate efficient review of electronically filed briefs, all briefs submitted in Portable document format (PDF) should include PDF page labels that correspond to the page numbers printed on the document itself. For example, where the caption is on PDF page 0, a table of contents and table of authorities is on pages i to iii, and the text of the brief is on pages 1 to 10, the PDF page labels should match 0, i-iii, and 1-10.
The page number for the cover page may be suppressed and need not appear on the cover page.
An electronic filer is not required to use a specific vendor, technology, or software for creation of a document for filing. Nonetheless, for instructions on creating page labels in Adobe Acrobat Pro, if an electronic filer chooses to use that application, can be found on the court’s website at Creating Page Labels in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
C. Bookmarking
An electronic bookmark is a descriptive text link that appears in the bookmarks panel of an electronic document. Each electronically filed brief or memorandum of points and authorities should include an electronic bookmark to (i) the “Top” of the document, (ii) each heading and subheading, and (iii) the first page of any component of the document, including any table of contents, table of authorities, verification, declaration, proof of service, exhibit, or attachment. Bookmarks for subheadings and subdivisions of documents should be properly nested to reflect the hierarchical structure of the document.
All briefs and memoranda of points and authorities in support, opposition, or reply to a motion filed by electronic filers that exceed 10 pages of substantive argument (i.e. excluding the caption page, table of contents, table of authorities, and proof of service) should include bookmarks.
Where bookmarks appear, each electronic bookmark must briefly describe the item to which it is linked. For example, an electronic bookmark to a heading must provide the text of the heading; an electronic bookmark to an exhibit or attachment must include the letter or number of the exhibit or attachment, and it may also include a brief description of the exhibit or attachment.
D. Referencing Pages of an Electronically Filed Document
When referring to page numbering in briefs (for example, an opposition that refers to the motion), please reference the page number printed on the page (which should also match the page labeling applied through Adobe Acrobat, or equivalent application) and line number.
For example, an opposition brief filed in response to the motion filed at Docket No. 3 might reference “Dkt. 3 at p. 10,” meaning the page of argument labeled as “page 10,” which is not necessarily the tenth page of the PDF.