TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s court system is moving into the digital age.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday ordered mandatory electronic filing of pleadings and other documents in Florida’s courts with limited exceptions.

The justices also ordered lawyers to exchange pleadings with each other electronically. Electronic filings and exchanges currently are optional.

In both cases, though, the justices agreed to phase in the requirement starting with the Supreme Court and district courts of appeal on Oct. 1, 2012. The deadline for civil, probate, small claims and family law courts is April 1, 2013. For criminal traffic and juvenile courts it’s Oct. 1, 2013.

The requirements only apply to lawyers. Individuals representing themselves are exempt. So are governmental or public agencies for cases to which they are not parties.