Miss. Elec. Ct. P. 2

As amended through October 22, 2024

Section 2 - Registration for MEC

A. Eligibility

Attorneys admitted to practice in courts which have implemented the MEC, including attorneys admitted to practice in those courts under the pro hac vice or pro bono publicus provisions of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure, may register as MEC Users. No other person may register as an MEC user, even if he or she is a party proceeding pro se.

B. Registration

1. Attorneys should register with the system electronically by accessing the Attorney Registration site at mec.ms.gov. Each attorney in a law firm must individually register.

2. Each attorney registering in the system will receive an Internet e-mail message to insure that the attorney's Internet e-mail address has been entered correctly in the system and to convey the login and initial password information to the attorney. The registering attorney must click on the link provided in the e-mail to activate his or her account. If the attorney allows the link to expire before activating his or her account, the attorney must register again and pay a new registration fee.

3. An attorney's registration will constitute a waiver of conventional service of documents. The attorney agrees to accept service of notice of the electronic filing by authorized e-mail.

4. Attorneys are responsible for updating their mailing address, e-mail address, and employment on-line through MEC.

C. Passwords

Each attorney registered to participate in MEC shall be entitled to one system password. Attorneys may change their own passwords.

Pursuant to M.R.C.P. 11, every pleading, motion, and other paper (except lists, schedules, statements or amendments thereto) shall be signed by at least one attorney of record or, if the party is not represented by an attorney, all such papers shall be signed by the party. An attorney's password combined with the user's login identification serves as the attorney's signature for Rule 11 and other purposes. Therefore, it is imperative that an attorney protect and secure his or her password. If there is any reason to suspect the password has been compromised in any way, it is the duty and responsibility of the attorney to immediately change his or her password and notify the MEC helpdesk. In the event of the resignation or reassignment of the person with authority to use a password, the attorney should change the password immediately.

No attorney shall knowingly permit his or her password to be utilized by anyone other than an authorized employee of his or her office. Because the login and password together constitute an attorney's signature regardless of whether the attorney personally uses the login and password or delegates that authority to someone else, the attorney is responsible for safeguarding and protecting his or her login and password at all times. Once registered, the attorney shall be responsible for all documents filed with his or her password.

Miss. Elec. Ct. P. 2

December 2008; rev. September 2009; rev. May 2012, eff. 7/1/2012; rev. June 2016, eff. 6/16/2016; rev. November 2016, eff. 12/1/2016