Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Confidential exhibits omitted from the public file must be emailed to chambers as part of a complete judge’s copy and provided to opposing counsel by noon on the Thursday before the hearing.

Any confidential exhibits omitted from the public file shall be tendered with a complete judge's copy to chambers (via email to JudgeLangtonChambers@oakgov.com) and opposing counsel no later than noon on the Thursday before the scheduled hearing date.

Confidential exhibits omitted from the public file must be emailed with a complete judge’s copy to chambers and opposing counsel by noon on the Thursday before the hearing.

Any confidential exhibits omitted from the public file shall be tendered with a complete judge's copy to chambers (via email to JudgeLangtonChambers@oaklandcountymi.gov) and opposing counsel no later than noon on the Thursday before the scheduled hearing date.

Parties may not agree by stipulation to seal documents or records.

Parties may not stipulate to the sealing of any documents or records.

A motion complying with MCR 8.119(I) is required to seal any document or record filed with the Court, in whole or in part.

If the parties seek to seal ANY documents or records filed with the Court (in whole or in part), a motion is required to be filed in compliance with MCR 8.119(I).

A proposed stipulated order allowing sealing without a separately filed motion will be rejected or have the sealing provision stricken.

Any proposed Stipulated Order containing a provision permitting the sealing of documents (in absence of a separately filed motion with the Court) will be rejected by the Court OR the provision will be stricken by the Court prior to entry of the Stipulated Order (if the proposed Order is otherwise agreeable by the Court).

A stipulated order allowing sealing without a separately filed motion will be rejected, or its sealing provision will be stricken if the remainder is otherwise acceptable.

Any proposed Stipulated Order containing a provision permitting the sealing of documents (in absence of a separately filed motion with the Court) will be rejected by the Court OR the provision will be stricken by the Court prior to entry of the Stipulated Order (if the proposed Order is otherwise agreeable by the Court).

Parties may not agree by stipulation to seal documents or records.

Parties may not stipulate to the sealing of any documents or records.

A motion complying with MCR 8.119(I) is required to seal any portion or all of documents or records filed with the Court.

If the parties seek to seal ANY documents or records filed with the Court (in whole or in part), a motion is required to be filed in compliance with MCR 8.119(I).

For confidential exhibits, the moving party must state in the motion that they are excluded from the public file and provided to chambers and the responding party, and email copies to chambers with the staff attorney copied.

If a party has any confidential exhibits, the moving party shall write in their motion that the exhibit is not being placed in the public court file and instead is being provided directly to chambers and the responding party. The moving party shall email a copy of those proposed exhibits to chambers and copy the staff attorney.

For confidential exhibits, the motion must state that the exhibits are excluded from the public file and provided directly to chambers and the responding party.

If a party has any confidential exhibits, the moving party shall write in their motion that the exhibit is not being placed in the public court file and instead is being provided directly to chambers and the responding party.

Confidential materials may not be filed except in sealed envelopes bearing the specified caption, inventory, and notice; only confidential portions should be sealed when practical, and non-disclosing references may be filed without sealing.

No documents, information, or things designated as “Confidential,” including that contained in pleadings, motions, briefs, declarations, or exhibits (except in sealed envelopes) shall be filed with the Court. Such sealed envelopes shall bear the case caption and shall recite a concise, non-disclosing inventory of their contents for docketing purposes. Additionally, in the case of materials or information designated “Confidential,” such sealed envelopes shall prominently bear the notice: CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER. TO BE OPENED ONLY BY OR AS DIRECTED BY THE COURT. To the extent practical, only those portions of a filing with the Court that contains material designated as “Confidential” shall be filed under seal or provided to the Court for in-camera inspection. The Court and its staff shall maintain all filings so designated pending further order or direction from the Court. Provided that no “Confidential” information is disclosed, the parties may generally refer to documents designated as “Confidential” in pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, or exhibits filed with the Court, without filing such pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, or exhibits under seal.