Public Access Restrictions for Cases filed before December 1, 2003.

Rev. 02/21/2024

To prevent the dissemination of personal information, public access through PACER is not permitted for documents for bankruptcy cases that were filed before December 1, 2003, and have been closed for more than one year with the following conditions:

1. The case docket is available to the general public via PACER.
2. In an individual case, a party who has filed a notice of appearance may have CM/ECF system or PACER access to all the filings in that case.
3. All filings are accessible at the clerk's office, except those under seal.
4. Bankruptcy appeals filed in the district court or the court of appeals may have similar restrictions.
5. For counsel or parties who are developing potential class actions, access may be granted under a judicial finding that such access is necessary for determining class member certification, subject to the following limitations to be outlined in the judge's order:
   1. Access is limited to a particular identified list of cases or a specified universe of cases (e.g., lift stay motions filed by a specified lender in a limited period of time);
   2. Time limitations on the period of access (corresponding to the scope and number of potential cases involved);
   3. Inclusion of a verified statement of counsel that access would be solely to determine class member status and that counsel is aware that unauthorized use is prohibited and may result in sanctions; and
   4. Any other conditions, limitations, or direction that the judge deems necessary under the specific circumstances of the request.