IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGi r.I�A:----F�,L�E- □----
IN RE: PROCEDURES FOR THE
FILING OF SEALED DOCUMENTS
SEP 2 5 2025
CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT
NORFOLK, VA
STANDING ORDER
In response to recent cyberattacks directed at public and
private sector computer systems, including attacks directed
at the Judiciary, a new procedure was adopted in July of this
year eliminating litigants' ability to electronically file
sealed documents and requiring "paper only" filing of all
sealed material. Since that time, the Court has diligently
worked to develop a revised filing system that would ease the
burden on litigants, while protecting the integrity of our
electronic case management system and ensuring uninterrupted
access to all public Court records.
The Court's Standing Order dated July 29, 2025, is hereby
RESCINDED and is replaced by the instant Standing Order. It
is hereby ORDERED that:
1. Electronic Filing & Access to Sealed Documents. Sealed
documents should once again be filed electronically in CM/ECF
under the E-Filing procedures in place prior to July 29, 2025,
as amended by any future updates to those procedures.
Although electronic filing of sealed documents will resume,
litigants will no longer be able to access or view such sealed
documents by electronic means.
2. Service of Sealed Documents Filed in CM/ECF. Because sealed
documents filed in CM/ECF will not be accessible or viewable
by litigants electronically, service of those documents can
no longer be accomplished through CM/ECF. After filing sealed
documents on CM/ECF, parties will have to serve the sealed
documents by other appropriate means as provided by the
Federal Rules of Procedure. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 5 & Fed. R.
Crim. P. 49 (outlining the rules governing service "by other
means" and requirements for filing certificates of service).
The Court will generally serve sealed documents in paper by
mail.
3. Additional Copies of Sealed Documents.
Because sealed
documents filed in CM/ECF are no longer accessible or viewable
by litigants electronically, a party with the right to access
a sealed document who requires a copy of such document will
have to contact the Clerk's Office to request a paper copy.
Applicable copy fees will be applied to such requests.
4 . Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs) . Sealed documents that are
defined as HSDs will continue to be subject to the Court's
HSD procedures.
5. Questions about Sealed Document Procedures. Any questions
about how a sealed document should be filed with the Court
or accessed should be directed to the Clerk's Office in
the relevant Division of this Court:
Alexandria - (703) 299-2100
Newport News (757) 247-0784
Norfolk - (757) 222-7201
Richmond - (804) 916-2220
This Order supersedes any and all inconsistent prior Court
Orders and prior CM/ECF manuals or training materials.
IT IS SO ORDERED this ^15-^ day of September, 2025.
/sTKini^
Mark S. Davis
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
