Navigating Electronic Filing: SUMAC Mandate for Puerto Rico Court of Appeals Effective June 16, 2025

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – A significant procedural shift is on the horizon for legal practice in Puerto Rico. Starting June 16, 2025, the Court of Appeals will require all new cases to be filed and processed electronically through the Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), the Judicial Branch's electronic filing system. This mandate marks a major step towards a fully digital management of cases before this intermediate appellate court.

The move, directed by Administrative Order OAJP #2025-131 from the Chief Justice, Hon. Maite D. Oronoz Rodríguez, aims to create a more agile, accessible, and efficient justice system. This change exclusively affects cases filed on or after June 16, 2025. Cases presented physically before this date will continue to be handled in paper format until their conclusion.

What Appellate Cases Must Be Filed Electronically via SUMAC?

Effective June 16, 2025, all new appellate resources filed before the Court of Appeals must be submitted electronically through SUMAC. This includes:

• Appeals (Apelaciones)

• Writs of Certiorari

• Judicial Reviews (Revisión Judicial) of administrative decisions

• Any extraordinary matters presented to the Court of Appeals, such as Mandamus or Habeas Corpus.

This electronic filing requirement applies even if the original case in the Court of First Instance or before an administrative agency was processed in paper format.

SUMAC vs. Paper Files: Handling Trial Court Records

A key point of clarification is how cases originating in paper at the trial court level will be handled. When filing a new appellate resource in SUMAC that stems from a paper file in the Court of First Instance, attorneys will need to digitalize the necessary documents from the physical record to include in their appellate appendix. SUMAC is designed to allow uploading these digitized documents along with the electronically prepared appellate resource filings.

For cases that originated electronically in the Court of First Instance, attorneys will have the functionality within SUMAC to select and include documents directly from the existing electronic judicial file.

It's important to note that this process for appealing from paper files is distinct from the separate process available at the Court of First Instance level for digitalizing an entire paper case file. The latter is not required to file a new appeal electronically; you only need to digitalize the specific documents for your appellate appendix.

SUMAC for Court of Appeals Only (For Now)

The current SUMAC implementation mandate effective June 16, 2025, is specifically for cases filed at the Court of Appeals. Appellate resources and matters before the Tribunal Supremo (Supreme Court) will continue to be processed in paper format for the time being. While future expansion of SUMAC to the Supreme Court is anticipated, the platform's design requires unique adaptations for each court, and that development process is ongoing.

Exceptions to Electronic Filing: While the mandate makes electronic filing the general rule, the Amended Regulation of the Court of Appeals outlines limited exceptions:

1. Documents filed by self-represented individuals who cannot file electronically via SUMAC, until necessary technology is developed.

2. Any document, evidence, or object that, by its nature or by law/court order, cannot be presented electronically.

3. When technical problems with the SUMAC platform specifically for the Court of Appeals prevent electronic filing.

It is crucial to understand that technical issues with an attorney's personal equipment, internet service, or other requirements to access SUMAC do not constitute an exception to the electronic filing requirement.

Physical Filing Under Exception:

If an exception applies and a physical filing is necessary, only one original copy of the appellate resource and its corresponding appendix is required at the Secretariat of the Court of Appeals. The previous requirement for multiple copies has been eliminated.

Attorneys filing physically due to an exception must manually notify the first page of the filing (stamped with date/time) to the Court of First Instance (if applicable), whereas SUMAC automatically generates a notification entry in the lower court's electronic file for electronically filed appeals.

Case Numbering Under the New System:

Under the new SUMAC mandate, each new appellate resource filed will receive a new case number. This new codification applies regardless of whether the original case in the Court of First Instance was electronic or in paper format.

Preparing for the Transition: Training Opportunities

The Judicial Branch is offering free webinars to help attorneys familiarize themselves with using SUMAC for appellate resources. While specific links may vary, attorneys are encouraged to seek out registration information for these training sessions to ensure a smooth transition to the new electronic filing system. The dates previously announced were May 28 and May 30, 2025.

This transition to mandatory electronic filing via SUMAC for the Court of Appeals represents a significant procedural update that will impact legal practice in Puerto Rico. Understanding the new requirements and staying informed about procedural changes, such as Proposed Changes to Appellate Rulesor how to effectively Legally Challenge Government Regulation in Puerto Rico, is essential for all attorneys and parties involved in appellate matters.

Navigating the New Electronic Appellate Procedures in Puerto Rico?

The implementation of mandatory SUMAC filing for the Court of Appeals requires attorneys to adapt their processes for submitting appellate resources, handling digitalization of paper files for appendices, and ensuring compliance with the new regulations.

If you have questions about navigating this new system or need assistance with appellate matters in Puerto Rico, our team is well-versed in the local procedural landscape and ready to assist.

Schedule a Consultation with MZLS today to discuss your appellate case or how these electronic filing changes impact your legal strategy in San Juan and throughout Puerto Rico.

Disclaimer: This blog article provides general information based on public announcements and regulations regarding the SUMAC implementation for the Court of Appeals in Puerto Rico. Legal procedures, regulations, and court systems are complex and subject to specific rules and updates. This information should not be considered legal advice. Attorneys and parties should consult the official Administrative Order, Court Regulations, and Judicial Branch guidance, or seek qualified legal counsel, for advice specific to their situation and for definitive procedural requirements. MZLS provides comprehensive legal counsel and representation in appellate matters and various areas of law in Puerto Rico, including successfully handling complex cases such as the court revoking a PRDE contract award after an MZLS legal challengeand obtaining a favorable outcome where the Puerto Rico Supreme Court granted certiorari and reinstated a judgment in favor. For specific inquiries, please feel free to Contact Us.

About MZLS LLC:

Established in 2019, MZLS LLC is a full-service law firm with a robust Litigation and Appellate Practice focused on assisting clients in Puerto Rico and handling matters with federal implications from its Washington D.C. office.¹ Our team is highly experienced in navigating complex legal procedures before the Puerto Rico Courts, including the upcoming SUMAC electronic filing requirements for the Court of Appeals. We provide strategic counsel and representation for appeals, certiorari, judicial reviews, and extraordinary writs. Our firm serves a diverse clientele, offering seasoned representation in their most challenging legal matters in San Juan and across the island. Our team's depth is further enhanced by the presence of Hon. Associate Justice Edgardo Rivera García, bringing invaluable experience from the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.