UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
ENTERED
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OCT 31 2022
RORY L PERRY 11, CLERK
U.S. o;strict Court
IN RE: PRIVACY IN SOCIAL SECURITY OPINIONS Southern Olstrict of West Vlr lnla
In 2007 Congress adopted Rule 5.2 of the Rules of Civil Procedure to address
privacy and security concerns inherent in electronically filed documents that are
available publicly. This concern is particularly heightened in Social Security cases,
which often contain a large amount of personal and medical information.
Recognizing this heightened concern, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c) places
limitations on remote access to electronic case files in Social Security cases. Those
restrictions do not, however, extend to dockets or court-issued opinions. Fed. R. Civ.
P. 5.2(c)(2)(B). While there is a valid interest in making Social Security opinions
publicly available via remote access, doing so limits the goal of restricting remote
access to personal and sensitive information.
In May 2018 the Judicial Conference Committee on Court Administration and
Case Management recommended that district courts consider adopting a local
practice of using only the first name and last initial for any non-government parties
in Social Security opinions. Upon consideration, the Court concurs that this is a
sound practice that should be adopted in the Southern District of West Virginia.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, effective immediately, that the Court will
use only the first name and last initial of any non-governmental party in an opinion,
order, judgment, or other disposition of the Court issued in a Social Security case.
SO ORDERED this 31st day of October, 2022.
ROBERT C. CHAMBERS
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
David A. Faber
Senior United States District Judge
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