So you're filing a case in court and your documents are all digital, what do you do? Do you think they are acceptable? Do you think they are "court-friendly?" Well, there's only one way to find out. Read our guide to provide you with information on how to make a document admissible in court

1. How to make your
PDF legal for court

2. 2
Introduction : PDF
o Portable Document Format is also known as PDF
o It is a widely accepted document format for all
types of transactions
o It is preferred because it is secure, portable, and
because it is lossless.
o In the legal field, it is also used in compilation of
files or for presentation in court.

3. 3
In Court : Requirements
For a document to be admissible, there are
requirements.
Example: Documents should not be easily edited
or altered.
JPEG, TIFF and PDF are these types of
documents
PDF are preferred because it can store and leave
an electronic trail if it is edited. This makes it the
perfect format for court.

4. WHY PDF?
What makes PDF special that it is preferred
in court?
4

5. Highly Secure
5
 PDFs are difficult to edit.
 It can be a read-only file
 By default, when a PDF is opened, viewers
cannot alter it easily.
 Unlike MS Word or Excel files, whose data can
easily be edited upon opening
 PDFs can remain a flat document as if it was an
image file.
 You can also add additional security by adding
encryption, where unauthorized eyes are kept
out.

6. 6
Compatibility
 PDFs can be opened, viewed, and shared easily
anytime and anywhere on any device.
 No hindrance in using different platforms,
versions, operating systems or devices.
 The content are shown and seen the same way it
was created and portrayed by the author no
matter what device is used.

7.  A secure PDF can easily be traced.
 If there are certification IDs and encryptions
installed on all users, it would be easy to trace who
has accessed, changed, edited, or added any
information on the PDF’s content.
 The document can also contain other information
such as the author of the document, descriptions,
date created, modified, etc.
7
Metadata

8.  PDF documents display accurate details
 Structure, formatting, layout, graphics, fonts, words, and content
are shown as it was intended to.
 Doesn’t change even when transferred to different devices
8
Recording and Documentation
 For instance, insurance industries need to
include colorful pictures and should also
show high-quality images. Another example
is the construction industry, putting together
plans, maps, designs, and architectural
drawings that need to be included for
presentation.

9. Electronic Signature enabled
9
 PDF documents can easily be signed
electronically and have been deemed acceptable
and binding.
 PDFs can be signed with a digital signature
 Businesses and organizations can send and
receive documents, contracts, and agreements
electronically.

10. 10
Accessible
 With standards being followed, PDF documents
like PDF/A can be accessible to anyone including
the visually impaired.
 It can easily be processed by screen readers and
other assisting technologies as it supports
structured content.

11. How to create legally acceptable documents
Producing the court
admissible PDF
documents
11

12. 12
PDF IN COURT
With the increasing number of technologies developing
these days, some courts all over the world have
implemented that documents be read digitally. It may be
for evidence purposes or for court filings, whatever they
may be, there is one type of format that is acceptable and
that is the PDF.

13. Court-friendly
13
PDF is indeed an international standard document and law firms will
agree that it is worthwhile to use such format for the purpose of court or
investigation. This is true as long as it is in this specific PDF format – the
PDF/A (or PDF/Archival) format. Aside from this, PDF needs to have
certain qualities so your lawyer, the judge, law clerks, and the jury can
easily understand your document. As they say, make your document
“court-friendly.”

14. Tips on creating court
admissible PDF
TEXT BASED
Make your document text-based
unless images are necessary.
Text-based makes it simple, easy
to understand, clean, efficient and
makes it faster to follow.
Making it a simple document with
formatting and fonts that are easy
to read is also a plus.
COMPACT
Make it compact and manageable.
If your file is large, it will take
longer to load and download by
the clerk.
In some areas, courts only accept
a maximum of 35MB. This is to
keep work efficient and encourage
optimized documents for
submission.
Avoid scanned files because it is
bigger in size
STRUCTURED
A document that is straightforward
and is easy to navigate will be
easier to understand.
Keep the sentences concise and
direct to the point as well. Put
bookmarks and links to exhibits if it
is long. This is so the court can get
to the sections fast if needed.
14

15. Tips on creating court
admissible PDF
SEARCHABLE
If the PDF content has
recognizable characters and
machine-readable, content is
easier to search and read. Details
can easily be searched by readers.
You can make any kind of PDF
into a machine-readable PDF by
using an OCR tool.
CALL YOUR COURT
Check your local court’s
requirements. Not all courts are
the same so if you’re filing or
providing some information, check-
in with them if there is anything
that you need to include or
remove.
Sometimes they also require to
pass it within a deadline or a
timeframe so keep yourself
informed by always asking the
right people!
15

16. Have other needs? Look
through our free tools in
our homepage or look
into our blog for more
details!
DeftPDF
online

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