(a) Case-Initiating Documents.
(i) If Filing Under Seal Is Already Expressly
Authorized. If a statute, rule, regulation, or prior
court order expressly provides that a case is to be
filed under seal, the complaint (or other initiating
document) and all concurrently filed documents
must be presented to the Clerk for filing in paper
format, in accordance with the applicable Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of
this Court. The caption must clearly indicate the
authority for filing the case under seal by
including, immediately under the title of the
document: “FILED UNDER SEAL PURSUANT
TO ________.” If filing under seal is authorized
by a court order, a copy of the order must be
provided with the case-initiating document.
(ii) All Other Circumstances. In the absence of
prior express authorization to file a case under
seal, the filer must present to the Clerk for filing in
paper format: (1) the case-initiating document(s);
(2) an Application for Leave to File Case Under
Seal; (3) a declaration establishing good cause or
demonstrating compelling reasons why the strong
presumption of public access in civil cases should
be overcome; and (4) a proposed order. While the
Application is pending, the Clerk must seal the
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
case and all associated documents. If the
Application is denied, the Clerk must, unless
otherwise ordered by the Court, immediately
unseal the case and all documents filed therein,
and may do so without first notifying the filing
party.
(b) Subsequent Documents. All documents filed in
sealed cases must be presented to the Clerk for filing in
paper format. All such documents will be accepted as
filed under seal, without the need for a separate
Application for Leave to File Under Seal.
