IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
IN RE PROCEDURES FOR
THE STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT GENERAL ORDER
OF RESTRICTED AND SEALED NO. 2025-04
DOCUMENTS
Whereas a recent escalation in cyberattacks on the CM/ECF systems of federal
courts requires new procedures for the storage and management of restricted and sealed
documents;
It is hereby ordered that, effective as of the date of this Order,
1. Electronic Access to Restricted Documents.
a. Documents that are restricted to case participants (hereinafter referred to as
“restricted documents”) will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under existing
procedures, but they will not be accessible or viewable to the parties by
electronic means. Although parties will receive notices of electronic filing
when such documents are filed in their cases, the documents themselves will
not be accessible or viewable electronically. Note: CM/ECF automatically
restricts certain documents in Social Security and immigration cases. These
documents will remain accessible and viewable to the parties by electronic
means.
b. For a complete list of restricted and sealed event types in CM/ECF, see the
court’s list of Ex Parte, Restricted, and Sealed Documents.
2. Electronic Access to Sealed Documents. Sealed documents will continue to be
filed in CM/ECF under existing procedures but will not be accessible or viewable
to the parties by electronic means.
3. Service of Restricted and Sealed Documents Filed in CM/ECF.
a. Because sealed documents and most restricted documents filed in CM/ECF
are no longer accessible or viewable electronically, service of those
documents cannot be accomplished through CM/ECF. Therefore, parties
must serve all restricted and sealed documents by other appropriate means as
provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure.
b. Except for certain orders and judgments served on Nebraska’s U.S.
Attorney’s Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office, the Clerk will serve
all restricted and sealed orders and judgments in paper by mail. By written
agreement, the Clerk will continue to serve certain orders and judgments on
Nebraska’s U.S Attorney’s Office and Federal Public Defender’s Office via
delivery to their agencies’ boxes located in the Lincoln and Omaha Clerk’s
Offices.
4. Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs). Sealed documents that are defined as HSDs
will continue to be subject to the court’s HSD procedures set forth in General Order
2024-06.
5. Questions about Restricted and Sealed Document Procedures. Any questions
about the filing of and access to restricted or sealed documents should be directed
to the Clerk’s Office at
[email protected].
This Order supersedes any and all inconsistent prior court orders and local rules.
DATED this 18th day of September 2025.
BY THE COURT:
Robert F. Rossiter, Jr.
Chief United States District Judge
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