A court register is a list of pending cases, often publicly available, but difficult to access. Historically, court clerks kept ledgers, but now electronic systems are more common. Filing fees and case-related documents are required to enter the register. Online databases provide registration information, but contacting the court clerk directly may be necessary for specific court information.
A court register is a list of all cases awaiting action in a court. Depending on the court, it is not uncommon for the vast majority of cases entered on the register to never actually make it to court; they can be withdrawn for a variety of reasons, ranging from reaching an out-of-court settlement to needing to resubmit in light of new evidence. Most courts make their records publicly available, although records can sometimes be difficult to access.
Historically, the notebook was a literal object. The court clerk kept a large sheet known as a ledger in which information about the court was recorded. The court file included not only lists of pending actions, but also trial outcomes and detailed discussions of motions filed and other matters that appeared in court. In some areas of the world, folios are still in use, but more commonly, electronic criminal record management systems are used.
People sometimes use the word “document” to refer to a schedule, and a record can include information about when a hearing is scheduled and specific days the court will be open. You can also consult the court file for a particular case to access detailed information about the case, including records of motions filed and other actions taken in connection with the case. It is the responsibility of the court clerk to keep this information accurate and up-to-date.
To enter the court register, you usually need to pay a filing fee and submit documents related to the case. In some courts, such as the US Supreme Court, there are more requests to subpoena than there are places available for subpoenas. In these courts, judges decide which cases to try. In lower courts, where everyone’s right to appear in court is protected, a backlog of cases can mean it takes months or years for a case to go to trial.
Several online databases provide registration information. Some countries are better than others when it comes to getting information online. Such systems usually have search features that allow people to search for specific cases or topics, and some can view archival documents related to historical cases of interest. For information about a specific court, it is sometimes best to contact the court clerk directly to obtain the necessary data.
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