Adding Parties

After all necessary data has been entered, the parties must be entered into CM/ECF to complete the case opening process. This is done via the participant tree, which divides the screen in half. The right side of the screen is used to add parties while the left side shows parties that have already been added.

To add a party:

Step	Screen
NOTE: Clicking the back button on your browser while adding parties will delete all party information previously entered.
Type the last name of the individual or the full name of the corporate entity into the Last/Business Name field. You must type a minimum of three letters to begin your search.
Click Search. Scroll through the search results to find the party you wish to add. Click on the name to highlight the party and use the Select Party button to add them to the left side of the participant tree.
NOTE: If the name of your party does not appear in the search results, you may click Create New Party to add a new name. DO NOT create a new party if any name in the list matches the name of the party for whom you are searching.

Party information screen:

Step

Screen

After a name is selected from the search results or a new party is created, the party information screen appears. This screen is used to select the role type of the party being added. It is very important to select the correct role type on this screen from the drop-down menu.* The role types are listed in alphabetical order, and the default selection is Amicus. A complete list of role types is below.

*NOTE: When filing a petition, the correct role types are Petitioner and Respondent.

Amicus

Appellant

Appellee

Arbitrator

Claimant

Consol Claimant

Consol Counter Claimant

Consol Counter Defendant

Consol Cross Claimant

Consol Cross Defendant

Consol Defendant

Consol Plaintiff

Consol Third Party Defendant

Counter Claimant

Counter Defendant

Creditor

Cross Claimant

Cross Defendant

Custodian

Debtor

Debtor-in-Possession

Defendant

Fourth Party Defendant

Fourth Party Plaintiff

Garnishee

In Re

Interested Non-Party

Interested Party

Interpleader

Intervenor

Intervenor Defendant

Intervenor Plaintiff

Material Witness

Mediator

Movant

Notice Party

Objector

Petitioner

Plaintiff

Receiver

Respondent

Special Master

Taxpayer

Third Party Defendant

Third Party Plaintiff

Trustee

The Title field may be used for designations and their abbreviations, including Officer, Sergeant, Executor, and Doctor.

The Pro se box defaults to No and should not be modified. This status is updated when the party makes an appearance.

The Start date defaults to the date the party is being added to the case. Do not modify this field.

The Notice drop-down defaults to yes. Do not modify this field.

The Party text field is used to include additional information, including phrases like Individually or in their official capacity, or Incorporated in the State of Delaware.

DO NOT add address or e-mail information for parties. This information will be added when the party makes an appearance in the case.

Completion of Party Information Entry:

Step	Screen
Click Add Party after entry of the necessary information.
This adds the party to the participant tree on the left side of the screen, indicating that the party is now a case participant.
Click Add New Party to add each new party to the case.

Participant tree icons:

Step	Screen
The participant tree has icons available to add additional information for each party.
The icons are defined as follows:
	Delete this party from this case.
	Add new alias, corporate parent, or attorney.
	Copy attorney(s) from other parties in the case to this party.
	Edit the party, alias, corporate parent, or attorney.
	Change the name of the party.
NOTE: The + and – icons located next to each participant name expand or collapse the information available.

Adding an alias:

Step	Screen
Click on the add person icon next to Alias in the participant tree.
Type the last name of the individual or the full name of the corporate entity into the Last/Business Name field. You must type a minimum of three letters to begin your search. Click Search. Scroll through the search results to find the party you wish to add.
Click on the name to highlight the party and click Select Alias.
NOTE: If the name of your party does not appear in the search results, you may click Create New Alias to add a new name. DO NOT create a new party if any name in the list matches the name of the party for which you are searching.
You must select an alias type* then click Add Alias.
*This is the complete list of all available alias translations in CM/ECF.	agent = agent of aka = also known as dba = doing business as fdba = formerly doing business as fka = formerly known as nee = born obo = on behalf of rpi = real party in interest ta = trading as
The alias is added to the participant tree.

Adding a corporate parent or other affiliate:

Step	Screen
Click on the add person icon next to Corporate Parent in the participant tree.
Type the name of a corporate entity into the Last/Business Name field. You must type a minimum of three letters to begin your search. Click Search. Scroll through the search results to find the party you wish to add.
Click on the name to highlight the party and click Select Corporate Parent.
NOTE: If the name of your party does not appear in the search results, you may click Create New Corporate Parent to add a new name. DO NOT create a new party if any name in the list matches the name of the party for whom you are searching.
You must select a corporate parent type from one of the two selections: (1) Corporate Parent or (2) Other Affiliate. Corporate Parent is the more common selection.
After selecting the correct corporate parent type, click Add Corporate Parent.
The corporate parent is added to the participant tree.
REMEMBER: You are also required to file a Corporate Disclosure Statement that provides the above information.

Copying an attorney:

Step	Screen
Use the copy icon to add a previously added attorney to another case participant.
Clicking the copy icon will show a list of previously added attorneys. Select the attorney you wish to associate with the new party by checking the box next to their name and then click Copy Attorneys.
If there are multiple attorneys to associate with the new party, you may check the box for each attorney and then click Copy Attorneys.
NOTE: In new civil cases, DO NOT add attorneys for defendants. In removal cases, all attorneys who have made an appearance in state court may be added.

Create Case:

Step	Screen
After all the case participant information has been entered, click Create Case.
A confirmation message will appear in the center of your screen. If you have not completed adding all parties, click No and you will be returned to the add new party screen. Otherwise click Yes to continue.
The next screen will indicate the assigned case number. If you are ready to file a civil complaint or notice of removal, click Docket Lead Event.
NOTE: The case is not opened until the Complaint, Petition, or Notice of Removal has been docketed and the filing fee has been paid, unless you are exempted from the fee or are filing an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.

: Last Updated: 08/25/2025

U.S. District Court

District of Oregon