1. (1) Mandatory commencement in general. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every proceeding specified in subdivision (a) of this section shall be commenced by electronically filing the initiating documents with the clerk of the court through the NYSCEF site.

2. (2) Emergency exception. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subdivision, a proceeding required to be commenced electronically may be commenced by the filing of initiating documents in hard copy provided that such documents are accompanied by the affirmation or affidavit of the filing attorney or party stating that: In the event a filer shall file initiating documents in hard copy pursuant to this paragraph, each such document shall include the notice required by section 207.4a(e)(10) of this Part, and the filer shall file those documents with the NYSCEF site within three business days thereafter, unless the clerk of court elects to e-file the documents on behalf of the filer. For purposes of this section, such a proceeding shall be deemed to have been commenced electronically.

   1. (i) the statute of limitations will expire on the day the documents are being filed or on the following business day; and
   2. (ii) the attorney, party, or filing agent therefor is unable to electronically file such documents because of technical problems with his or her computer equipment or internet connection.

3. (3) Service of process. Service of process upon a party in a proceeding that must be commenced electronically in accordance with this section shall be made as provided in article 3 of the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, or by electronic means if the party served agrees to accept such service. Such service shall be accompanied by a notice, in a form approved by the Chief Administrator, advising the recipient that the proceeding is subject to electronic filing pursuant to this section. A party served by electronic means shall, within 24 hours of service, provide the serving party or attorney with an electronic confirmation that the service has been effected.

   (c) Filing and service of documents after commencement in proceedings under this section.

4. (1) All documents to be filed and served electronically. Except as otherwise provided in this section, filing and service of all documents in a proceeding that has been commenced electronically in accordance with this section shall be by electronic means.

5. (2) Emergency exception. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subdivision, where documents are required to be filed and served electronically in accordance with such paragraph (1), such documents may nonetheless be filed and served in hard copy provided that they are accompanied by the affirmation or affidavit of the filing attorney or party stating that: In the event a filer shall file and serve documents in hard copy pursuant to this paragraph, each such document shall include the notice required by section 207.4a(e)(10) of this Part, and the filer shall file those documents with the NYSCEF site within three business days thereafter, unless the clerk of court elects to e-file the documents on behalf of the filer.

   1. (i) a deadline for their filing and service fixed by statute, rule, or order of the court will expire on the day the documents are being filed or served or on the following business day; and

   2. (ii) the attorney, party, or filing agent therefor is unable to file and serve such documents electronically because of technical problems with his or her computer equipment or internet connection.

      (d) Clerk of court not to accept hard copies of documents for filing where electronic filing is required.

      The clerk of the court shall refuse to accept for filing hard copies of documents sought to be filed in proceedings where such documents are required to be filed electronically.

      (e) Exemption from the requirement of electronic filing.

6. (1) Exemption of unrepresented litigants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an unrepresented litigant or a proposed intervenor or other non-party seeking relief from the court who is unrepresented is exempt from having to file and serve documents electronically in accordance with this section. No such party shall be compelled, directly or indirectly, to participate in e-filing. As to each unrepresented litigant, the clerk shall explain his or her options for e-filing in plain language, including the option for expedited processing, and shall inquire whether he or she wishes to participate, provided however the unrepresented litigant may participate in the e-filing program only upon his or her request, which shall be documented in the case file, after he or she has been presented with sufficient information in plain language concerning the program. Where an unrepresented litigant chooses to participate in e-filing in accordance with these rules, he or she may at any time opt out of such participation by presenting the clerk of the court with a form so declaring.

7. (2) Exemption of represented parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an attorney shall be exempt from having to file and serve documents electronically in accordance with this section upon filing with the clerk of the court in which the proceeding is or will be pending a form, to be prescribed by the Chief Administrator, on which the attorney certifies in good faith that he or she:

   1. (i) lacks the required computer hardware and/or connection to the internet and/or scanner or other device by which documents may be converted to an electronic format; or
   2. (ii) lacks the requisite knowledge in the operation of such computers and/or scanners necessary to comply with this section (for purposes of this paragraph, the knowledge of any employee of an attorney, or any employee of the attorney's law firm, office or business who is subject to such attorney's direction, shall be imputed to the attorney).
8. (3) Exemption of counsel upon a showing of good cause. Nothing in this section shall prevent a judge from exempting an attorney from having to file and serve documents electronically in accordance with this section upon a showing of good cause therefor.
9. (4) Procedures applicable to exempt attorneys. Where an attorney or party in a proceeding that is subject to this section is exempt from having to file and serve documents electronically in accordance with this section, he or she shall serve and file documents in hard copy, provided that each such document shall include the notice required by paragraph (10) of subdivision (e) of section 207.4-a of these rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all other attorneys and parties in such proceeding shall continue to be required to file and serve documents electronically, except that, whenever they serve documents upon a person or party who is exempt from having to file and serve documents electronically in accordance with this section, they shall serve such documents in hard copy and shall file electronically proof of such service.

(a) Application.

There is hereby established a program in which all documents filed and served in Surrogate's Court proceedings and counties specified by order of the Chief Administrator of the Courts shall be filed and served electronically. Except to the extent that this section shall otherwise require, the provisions of section 207.4a of this Part shall govern this program.

(b) Commencement of proceedings under this section.