The Department of Labor issued a direct final rule requiring attorneys and lay representatives representing parties before the Benefits Review Board to use electronic filing (e-filing) and automatic electronic service (e-service) for submitting documents. This rule, effective on February 25, 2021, aims to streamline the process, reduce costs, and improve efficiency by moving towards completely electronic case files. Self-represented parties are given the option to use these electronic systems or continue with traditional methods. The rule is designed to be non-controversial and mimics procedures already familiar in federal courts.
Simple Explanation
The Department of Labor says that from now on, lawyers must send and get their paperwork online when dealing with certain cases, and people who are doing it themselves can choose to do it online too. This is like how things work in many courts and is supposed to make things faster and use less paper.