The act requires filing of a case initiation and case disposition form for each civil case filed in superior court or state court. The type of case initiation and case disposition form that must be filed depends upon whether the civil case is a "domestic relations" or a "general civil" case. For the purpose of determining which initiation and disposition forms should be filed, the act includes as types of domestic relations cases petitions pertaining to divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, adoption, paternity, legitimation, Interstate Support Enforcement, domestication of a foreign custody decree, and the Family Violence Act. All other civil cases are considered "general civil." The following forms have been designed and approved by the Authority for use:

• General Civil Case Filing Information Form (Non-Domestic)
• General Civil Case Final Disposition Form (Non-Domestic)
• Domestic Relations Case Filing Information Form
• Domestic Relations Final Disposition Information Form

2. How do I get copies and/or a supply of the forms? 

The Authority has mailed a supply of each form to all Clerks of Superior Court. Additionally, the forms are available on several websites including www.gsccca.org . For electronic copies of the forms, please visit our SB 176 Files and Forms Section.

3. Is the Authority going to provide Clerks of Superior Court a summary of the act to send to attorneys as notice of the requirements of the act?

Yes. The Authority is preparing information that will be mailed to all Clerks of Superior Court and posted to this web site.

4. I am not ready to transmit the data electronically. What do I do?

The Authority has developed a scanning software program that was mailed to each clerk’s office. If you have not received the SB 176 ScanSend Version 2.0 CD or are having any problems loading it, call Technical Support at 800.304.5174.

5. What happens if the scan station breaks down and I can't scan for a few days?

The goal is to have everyone either scanning the forms in or sending them in electronically, but it is inevitable that there will be hardware and software breakdowns. So while it is not the preferred method, you can also fax the forms to the Authority at 404.327.7877 or even mail them. 

6. The UCC scan station is located in another building, so I don't have access to a scanner. Will the Authority provide another scanner to my office so that I can scan the forms? 

Call David Williams at the Authority for more information or to discuss further.

7. How often do I transmit the forms/data to the Authority?

While the legislation doesn’t address how often the clerk must transmit the forms/data, the Authority is required to transmit the data to the Georgia Courts Automation Commission every three days. Our suggestion is to transmit on a daily basis.

8. Whose responsibility is it to make sure the proper form is filed with the case? 

By state law, it is the responsibility of the filing party to include the proper case initiation or disposition form with the case filing.
 
9. What happens if the filing party presents a case for filing at the courthouse without the form attached?

Clerks should not reject the filing but remind the filing party that state law requires them to complete and attach with the filing the appropriate case initiation or disposition form. Clerks are encouraged to keep a small quantity of the forms at their office and make them available to the public. 

10. What should the clerk do if there is no form attached to the case?

If the filing is received by mail or the filing party refuses to complete the appropriate case initiation or disposition form, it is recommended that the clerk's office complete the "Notice of Non-Compliance" form the Authority has provided so that the case can be filed.

11.   Does the clerk have to complete the "Notice of Non-Compliance" and send it to the Clerks' Authority?

This form is not mandated by law. It is provided as a convenience to the clerk so that they can process the case and do not have to return the filing to the filing party. The form is available (for use by Superior and State Court Clerks only) from the Authority’s website (www.gsccca.org) or by clicking here.

12. What date do clerk's offices start sending in the forms to the GSCCCA?

The first business day of July, which is July 3, 2000.

13. Should clerks' offices transmit disposition forms from cases filed prior to July 1, 2000?

Yes.

14. What do I do if the number of defendants and/or plaintiffs in the case exceeds the number of spaces provided on the forms(s)?

The filing party is encouraged to list all parties on the case. If the number of parties to the action exceeds the number of spaces on the form(s), then the filing party can use an additional sheet and list each party under a heading of plaintiff and/or defendant or use additional copies of the appropriate form and make sure the related case number is on all pages/forms.

15. Who should I call if my office needs more S.B. 176 filing forms?

Clerks may call the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Authority, while the general public is encouraged to use the interactive forms on the Authority’s website at www.gsccca.org.

16. I am planning to send the forms/data electronically but my program is not ready yet.  Where can I fax the forms?

Clerks’ offices can fax the forms to either 404.327.7877 or 404.327.6346. The public must file the form with the clerk's office where the case is filed.

17. What is the basis of this project?

S.B. 176 (Act No. 716) is the genesis of this project. The legislation was written on the recommendation the State Bar of Georgia’s Court Filings Committee.

18. Why do I have to file this form and how will the consolidated data be used?

At the request of the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Court Automation Commission is gathering this information to study the number of tort cases filed, the overall number of civil cases filed, the size and scope of the verdicts and other relevant information. This civil justice database will eventually enable Georgia lawmakers to better set public policy regarding judicial reform and allocation of resources to the state's judicial circuits.

19. Does it cost the attorney anything extra to attach this form along with the case when it is filed with the Clerk of Superior or State Court?

No.

20. Where can I find the enabling legislation for S.B. 176?

A link to the enabling legislation is available at www.gsccca.org or by clicking here.

21. Does S.B. 176 (Act No. 716) affect any cases other than civil cases?

No.

22. Is the clerk required to process the forms they receive?

Yes. S.B. 176 (Act No. 716) requires the Clerk of Superior or State Court to send the data/forms to the GSCCCA for inclusion into a statewide database that is then sent to the Georgia Court Automation Commission for analysis.

23. Who should be listed as the reporting party?

The person completing the form.

24. Once I transmit/scan the case initiation (or disposition) form to the Clerks' Authority, do I have to keep the hardcopy form?

No.

25. What block should be checked on the Domestic Relations Case Filing Information Form for a new case dealing with child support?

It is recommended that you check the block titled “Interstate Support Enforcement Action.”

Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority
1875 Century Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30345
Telephone: (404)327-9058 -- Fax: (404)327-7877

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