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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
6 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
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8 In Re:
GENERAL ORDER 10-24
9 REMOTE PUBLIC ACCESS TO
COURT PROCEEDINGS
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This General Order is being issued to address this Court’s new policy regarding remote
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public access to court proceedings. This new policy is based on guidance received from the
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Ninth Circuit Judicial Council that, “subject to the restrictions of Federal Rule of Criminal
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Procedure 53 and other applicable rules, [it] authorizes the district and bankruptcy courts of the
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Ninth Circuit to evaluate their own needs and capabilities, to consider the public’s interest, and
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to determine how best to provide public access to court proceedings.” See Judicial Council of the
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Ninth Circuit, Policy on Remote Public Access to District Court and Bankruptcy Court
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Proceedings, March 4, 2024.
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This Court has carefully considered whether to permit remote public access and
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determined that, except in very rare circumstances, providing the media and the public with
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remote public access improves transparency and confidence in judicial proceedings without
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having any negative effect on those proceedings.
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1 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, effective as of July 12, 2024 and until
2 such time as the Court orders otherwise, remote public access to court proceedings shall be
3 subject to the procedures and requirements set forth below. This General Order supersedes any
4 and all inconsistent provisions in existing Local Rules or other General Orders of this Court.
5 1. Remote Public Access Generally Allowed at Judge’s Discretion.
6 To the extent not prohibited by statute, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the
7 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Ninth Circuit Judicial Council Policy, or this Local Rule,
8 judges of this Court may, in their discretion, provide the public with remote video or audio
9 access to court proceedings. This applies to proceedings conducted in the courtroom as well as
10 proceedings where the judge, attorneys and/or parties are appearing remotely.
11 Whenever the Court sets a proceeding as to which the public may be provided with
12 remote video or audio access under this Rule, the Court shall state in the docket entry setting the
13 proceeding whether such remote access will be provided and in what form.
14 2. Objections to the Provision or Non-Provision of Remote Public Access.
15 Any party who objects to the provision or non-provision of remote public access, or the
16 form of remote public access provided, shall file an objection with the court as soon as
17 practicable after the issuance of the docket entry setting the proceeding. Any non-party who
18 objects to the provision or non-provision of remote public access, or the form of remote public
19 access provided, shall transmit such objection via email to the relevant Courtroom Deputy for the
20 Court or the Proposed Orders email address as soon as practicable after the issuance of the
21 docket entry setting the proceeding. All such objections shall be entered on the docket.
22 In deciding whether to grant an objection to the provision or non-provision of remote
23 public access, the Court will consider whether remote public access may:
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1 • burden the privacy interests of participants in the proceeding;
2 • give rise to safety concerns for participants in the proceeding;
3 • chill a witness or make it more difficult to assess witness credibility; or
4 • adversely impact a consideration that has similar weight to those listed above.
5 After considering all objections, the Court will issue a final decision on remote public
6 access for the proceeding. The Court’s final decision will be entered on the docket.
7 3. No Capture or Transmission of Remote Access Permitted.
8 Persons with remote access to court proceedings are prohibited from recording,
9 photographing, or retransmitting those proceedings.
10 Dated this 12th of July, 2024.
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13 David G. Estudillo
Chief United States District Judge
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