CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) People looking for information about New Hampshire court cases now have a new online resource as the state Judicial Branch rolls out a replacement for its public case access system.

The new portal, called LUCIE, short for Look Up Case Information Electronically, launched Wednesday and is designed to make it easier for members of the public, attorneys and people involved in court proceedings to find information from the state’s Circuit and Superior courts.

The previous online case access system is being phased out because the vendor that operated it is discontinuing the service. It will remain available for several weeks while users move to LUCIE.

Those who establish a LUCIE account can search publicly available cases and, depending on the type of proceeding, see information including case status, upcoming hearings, parties involved, charges and case dispositions.

The system initially covers electronically filed, non-confidential cases in several categories. Circuit Court users can access civil, small claims, name change and estate cases, while Superior Court access includes civil and criminal cases.

Court documents that are not confidential will still be available for viewing through public-access kiosks at courthouses across the state.

The new system also provides additional functionality for New Hampshire attorneys. Lawyers can request expanded access by submitting their New Hampshire Bar number. After court staff verify the attorney’s credentials, they can securely view cases in which they are listed as counsel of record.

The introduction of LUCIE does not alter the way court documents are filed electronically. Attorneys will continue using File & Serve, while people representing themselves in court will continue to use TurboCourt for electronic filing.

The Judicial Branch has also created a user manual to help people set up accounts and navigate the new system. Instructions and other information are available through LUCIE and the Judicial Branch’s website.

The portal was developed internally through a joint effort involving Judicial Branch information technology personnel and employees of the Circuit and Superior courts.