Rule text
(a) Procedure. Any party to an action may move the court to seal a record that is not a confidential record, as defined in Court Operating Rule 4.24(a). The movant must overcome the presumption that judicial records should be open for public inspection.
(b) Standard for Sealing. A court shall not seal a record unless there is a compelling justification for closing the record. To seal a record, a court shall enter an order setting forth the specific facts and circumstances compelling the record's closure. The court must make specific written findings that justify the record being sealed even if no objections to the motion to seal are made or the parties stipulate to the record being sealed.
(c) Court Order Required. A court order shall be required to open or allow access to sealed records.
Notes
Comment
This Rule sets forth the standard for sealing a record in all criminal and civil cases.
(Adopted December 16, 2025, corrected April 21, 2026, effective July 1, 2026.)