U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Sealing

A filer seeking highly sensitive document treatment must submit a motion and proposed order under the court’s ECF procedures.

“A filer seeking an HSD designation must submit a motion and proposed order according to Section 12 of the Administrative Procedures for Electronic Case Filing.”

Sealing

Parties cannot designate a document highly sensitive by agreement; a written court order is required.

“Neither counsel nor the parties may require or stipulate to HSD designation. The designation may be affixed only by written order.”

Sealing

An agreement between parties alone does not authorize filing a document under seal.

“An agreement of the parties does not allow the Clerk to file a document under seal without a court order.”

Trial

Attorneys may use wireless devices in court only without audible noise or disruption and without recording or broadcasting.

“Wireless communications devices and laptop computers may be used to assist attorneys in their cases but must: (1) be programmed not to emit any audible noise while in the courtroom; (2) only be used in a manner that does not disrupt a proceeding; and (3) may not in any fashion be used to broadcast or record audio or video while in the courthouse.”