XML Court FormsHarry Jacobs

Judicial Council of California –

Administrative Office of the Courts

harry.jacobs@jud.ca.gov

415-865-7620

What is XML?

• eXtendable Markup Language

• A language to store data.

• A language that computers can “understand.”

What is a Court Form?

• A means to:• Store

information,

• Transfer information to the court, and

• Present information.

Example 1: PDF form

Example 2: XML form

Comparing 1 LinePDF Form (First Line):

Harry R. Jacobs

XML Form:<Answer name=“NameFirst”><TextValue>Harry</TextValue>

</Answer>

<Answer name=“NameMiddle”><TextValue>R.</TextValue>

</Answer>

<Answer name=“NameLast”><TextValue>Jacobs</TextValue>

</Answer>

What are the advantages of XML form?

3 Advantages:

• Information stored in XML forms is easier for computers to find.

• XML facilitates the transfer of information to the court.

• XML forms allow users to select the presentation of information in a form.

Information Stored in XML Forms Is Easier to Find

• Computers can “understand” XML.

• Computers use the tagging and structure of XML documents to find information. (e.g., every filing against a certain defendant)

XML facilitates the Transfer of Information to the Court

• What is E-filing?

• How does XML fit in?

• How do XML forms fit in?

XML forms allow users to select the presentation of information in a form.

• XSLT: eXtendable Stylesheet Language Transformations

Language

Appearance

Data Display

• 25 pages vs. 1 page

Three Issues to Consider

• How are XML documents created?

• How much is this going to cost?

• What does this mean for privacy?

How are XML documents created?

• Computers create XML documents.

• If you don’t use a computer you can create an XML document.

How much is this going to cost?

• Creating XML documents cost money.

• Transformations cost money.

What does this mean for privacy?

• If you can find information more easily with XML, so can everyone else.

• California Rules of Court Rule 2.503

Thanks for Listening.

Questions?