How to file deeds and documents in the Telematic Administrative Process (PAT)

The steps

1. 1.

   1. Verification of prerequisites and IT tools

   Before starting, you must have a valid digital signature, a Certified Email (PEC) address registered in the ReGIndE directory, and login credentials (SPID, CIE, or CNS) for the Administrative Justice Portal. You also need PDF reader software compatible with ministerial forms. Always verify that the signature certificate is not expired or revoked, as an invalid signature renders the deed inadmissible. Finally, ensure that the deeds to be filed have been drafted as native digital documents, free of active elements or macro instructions.

2. 2.

   2. Drafting and signing procedural deeds

   The main procedural deed (appeal, brief, motion) must be converted into a textual PDF format directly from the word processor, without optical scanning. The file must be digitally signed exclusively in the PAdES format, which retains the .pdf extension. Unlike the civil telematic process, the PAT does not allow the CAdES format (.p7m) for main deeds. Attached evidentiary documents can be digital copies of analog documents, but they must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity, which must also be digitally signed according to current technical specifications.

3. 3.

   3. Completing the filing form

   Access the Administrative Justice website and download the latest available version of the filing form (Modulo Deposito Atto). The form must be completed offline by entering the appeal data, parties, counsels, and the list of attachments. It is crucial to use the form's integrated attachment index to upload the previously prepared and signed files. Pay attention to the maximum size limit of the final file generated by the form: if the limit is exceeded, the system will not allow saving. In this case, it will be necessary to split the filing using subsequent forms.

4. 4.

   4. Signing the form and submission

   Once all data and attachments have been entered, the filing form must be saved and digitally signed in PAdES format by the counsel. Submission can occur via PEC to the address of the competent jurisdictional section, attaching the signed form, or via direct upload (web upload) from the reserved area of the Lawyer's Portal. Direct upload is often preferable to avoid email server capacity limits and to receive immediate confirmation of receipt by the information system.

5. 5.

   5. Handling system errors

   During submission or processing, the SIGA system (Administrative Justice Information System) performs automatic checks. The most frequent blocking errors involve the use of unauthorized signature formats (such as CAdES for the main deed), the presence of viruses in attached files, or the use of an obsolete form. If a blocking anomaly notice is received, the filing is not considered finalized. You must identify the error described in the rejection notice, correct the file or update the form, and promptly proceed with a new submission.

6. 6.

   6. Outcome verification and finalization

   Telematic filing is finalized at different times depending on the chosen method. In the case of PEC submission, the relevant moment for meeting deadlines is the generation of the Acceptance Receipt (Ricevuta di Accettazione or RdA). However, the success of the procedure is confirmed only by receiving the protocol message generated by the clerk's office. It is the counsel's burden to access the electronic file via the Lawyer's Portal to verify the actual visibility of the filed documents and the absence of irregularity notes from the clerk.

Legal basis: D.P.C.M. 16 febbraio 2016, n. 40 (Regolamento recante le regole tecnico-operative per l'attuazione del processo amministrativo telematico)Allegato A al D.P.C.M. 40/2016 (Specifiche tecniche)Decreto Legislativo 2 luglio 2010, n. 104 (Codice del processo amministrativo), art. 136Decreto Legislativo 7 marzo 2005, n. 82 (Codice dell'Amministrazione Digitale)