APPENDIX J
VACCINE RULES OF THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
TITLE I. SCOPE OF RULES-COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
1. Scope of Rules.
These rules govern all proceedings before the United States Court of Federal Claims Office of Special Masters pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program established by 42 U.S.C. §300aa–10 (West Supp. 1991) (Vaccine Act). These rules are to be cited as the Vaccine Rules. In all matters not specifically provided for by the Vaccine Rules, the special master may regulate the applicable practice, consistent with these rules and with the purpose of the Vaccine Act, to decide cases promptly and efficiently. The RCFC apply only to the extent referenced.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
2. Commencement of Proceedings.
(a) Petition. A proceeding for compensation under the Vaccine Act shall be commenced by the filing of a petition, accompanied by the documents required under 42 U.S.C. §300aa–11(c) and the Vaccine Rules, in the United States Court of Federal Claims. Petitioner shall forward an original and 2 copies of the petition, by mail or other delivery, to Clerk, United States Court of Federal Claims, 717 Madison Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
(b) Fee. The petition shall be accompanied by a $120.00 filing fee.
(c) Service upon Respondent. (1) Petitioner shall serve one copy of the petition and accompanying documents upon the Secretary of Health and Human Services, by first class or certified mail, c⁄o Director, Bureau of Health Professionals, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 8–05, Rockville, Maryland 20857. An executed certificate of such service shall accompany the petition filed with the clerk.
(2) The clerk shall serve one copy of the petition on the Attorney General.
(d) Content of the Petition. (1) The petition shall set forth a short and plain statement of the grounds for an award of compensation. The petition shall set forth to whom, when and where the vaccine in question was administered and further shall describe specifically the alleged injury. If an injury within the Vaccine Act's Vaccine Injury Table, 42 U.S.C. §300aa–14(a), is claimed, the particular injury shall be set forth. The petition shall also contain a specific demand for relief to which petitioner asserts entitlement or a statement that such demand will be deferred pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §300aa–11(e).
(2) Only one petition may be filed with respect to each administration of a vaccine.
(e) Documents Required with the Petition. (1) As required by 42 U.S.C. §300aa–11(c), every petition shall be accompanied by the following: (i) medical records and detailed affidavit(s) supporting all elements of the allegations made in the petition. If petitioner's claim does not rely on medical records alone, but is based in part on the observations or testimony of any persons, the substance of each person's proposed testimony in the form of an affidavit executed by the affiant must accompany the petition. (ii) All available physician and hospital records relating to (1) the vaccination itself; (2) the injury or death, including, if applicable, any autopsy reports or death certificate; (3) any post-vaccination treatment of the injured person, including all in-patient and out-patient records, provider notes, test results and medication records; and, if the person was younger than 5 years old when vaccinated, (4) the mother's pregnancy and delivery and the infant's lifetime, including physicians' and nurses' notes and test results and all well baby visit records, as well as, growth charts, until the date of the vaccination. (iii) If any records required by the rules are not submitted, an affidavit detailing the efforts made to obtain such records and the reasons for their unavailability.
(2) If filed on behalf of a deceased person, or if filed by someone other than the injured person or a parent of an injured minor, the petition shall also be accompanied by documents establishing the authority to file the petition in a representative capacity or a statement explaining when such documentation will be available.
(3) All documents accompanying the petition shall be assembled into one or more bound volumes or three-ring notebooks. Each bound volume or notebook must contain the caption of the case and a table of contents, and all pages of all documents shall be numbered consecutively.
(4) Petitions not accompanied by all the documents required by statute and the Vaccine Rules, or an affidavit explaining why any missing required documents are unavailable, will not be filed by the clerk.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
TITLE II. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE SPECIAL MASTER
3. Role of the Special Master-Generally.
(a) Assignment. Once a petition has been filed by the clerk, the case shall be assigned by the chief special master to a special master to conduct proceedings in accordance with the Vaccine Rules. All proceedings prior to the issuance of the special master's decision are to be conducted exclusively by the special master.
(b) Duties. The special master shall be responsible for conducting all proceedings, including requiring such evidence as may be appropriate, in order to prepare a decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law, determining whether an award of compensation should be made under the Vaccine Act and the amount of any such award. The special master shall determine the nature of the proceedings, with the goal of making the proceedings expeditious, flexible, and less adversarial, while at the same time affording each party a full and fair opportunity to present its case and creating a record sufficient to allow review of the special master's decision.
(c) Absence; Reassignment. In the absence of the special master to whom a case is assigned, the chief special master may act on behalf of the assigned special master, or designate another special master to act. When necessary, the chief special master may reassign a case to another special master.
4. Respondent's Review and Report.
(a) Respondent's Review of Completeness of the Records. Within 30 days of the filing of a petition, respondent shall review the medical and other records to determine whether, in respondent's view, all records necessary to enable respondent to evaluate the merits of the claim have been supplied with the petition. If respondent considers that relevant records are missing, petitioner's counsel shall immediately be notified. If the parties disagree about the completeness of the records filed or the relevance of requested records, either party may request that the special master resolve the matter. If the special master concludes that records called for by Vaccine Rule 2(e) have not been submitted, the petition may be subject to dismissal, without prejudice, under Vaccine Rule 21(c).
(b) Respondent's Report. Within 90 days after the filing of the petition, respondent shall file a report that shall set forth a full and complete statement of respondent's position as to why an award should or should not be granted. The report shall contain respondent's medical analysis of petitioner's claims. It shall also present any legal arguments that respondent may have in opposition to the petition. General denials are not sufficient.
5. Informal Review and Tentative Findings and Conclusions.
The special master shall schedule an off-the-record conference to be held within 30 days of the filing of respondent's report pursuant to Vaccine Rule 4(b). At this conference, after affording the parties an opportunity to address each other's positions, the special master will review the materials submitted, evaluate the respective positions, and orally present tentative findings and conclusions. If necessary, the special master shall schedule a subsequent status conference to be held within 15 days at which petitioner and respondent shall advise whether either party requests further proceedings, including filing of dispositive motions or a hearing, or whether the special master should enter a decision consistent with the tentative findings and conclusions.
6. Status Conferences.
The special master shall conduct conferences from time to time in order to expedite the processing of the case. The conferences will be informal in nature and ordinarily will be conducted by telephone conference call. Either party may request a status conference at any time. At such conferences, counsel for both parties will have the opportunity to propose procedures by which to process the case in the least adversarial, most efficient way possible.
7. Discovery.
There shall be no discovery as a matter of right.
(a) Informal Discovery Preferred. The informal and cooperative exchange of information is the ordinary and preferred practice.
(b) Formal Discovery. If a party considers that informal discovery is not sufficient, that party may seek to utilize the discovery procedures provided in RCFC 26–36 by filing a motion indicating the discovery sought and stating with particularity the reasons therefor, including an explanation why informal techniques have not been sufficient. Such a motion may also be made orally at a status conference.
(c) Subpoena. When necessary, the special master upon request by a party may approve the issuance of a subpoena. In so doing, the procedures of RCFC 45 shall apply. See Appendix L.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
8. Taking of Evidence and Argument; Decision.
(a) General. The special master in each case, based on the specific circumstances thereof, shall determine the format for taking evidence and hearing argument. The particular format for each case will be ordered after consultation with the parties.
(b) Evidence. In receiving evidence, the special master will not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence. The special master will consider all relevant, reliable evidence, governed by principles of fundamental fairness to both parties. Evidence may be taken in the form of documents, affidavits, oral testimony at a hearing in person or via telephone; or even, in appropriate circumstances, video tape. Sworn written testimony may be submitted in lieu of oral testimony.
(c) Argument. Argument may be received by telephone conference call or at a hearing or in written submissions. The special master may establish requirements for such filings, e.g., contents or page limitations, as appropriate.
(d) Decision Without Evidentiary Hearing. The special master may decide a case on the basis of written filings without an evidentiary hearing. In addition, the special master may decide a case on summary judgment, adopting procedures set forth in RCFC 56 modified to the needs of the case.
(e) Hearing. When necessary, the special master may conduct an evidentiary hearing. The special master will determine the format for such a hearing. The special master may permit testimony at such a hearing via telephone. The special master may permit direct examination of a witness or may permit or require that the direct testimony be submitted in written form. The special master may question a witness and may, on request, permit questioning by opposing counsel. The clerk or counsel, may issue a subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness at such hearing. A transcript of the hearing shall be prepared in conformity with RCFC 59(b) and 80 and Appendix A.
(f) Waiver of Argument. Any fact or argument not raised specifically in the record before the special master shall be considered waived and cannot be raised by either party in proceedings on review of a special master's decision. This rule shall not apply to legal arguments raised by the party that stands in the role of the appellee on review.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
9. Suspension of Proceedings.
(a) General. On the motion of a party, for good cause shown, the special master may suspend proceedings on the petition. The special master shall grant one such suspension for 30 days on the motion of either party. Further motions by either party for the suspension may be granted, totalling not more than 150 additional days, in the special master's discretion.
(b) Chief Special Master. On motion of a party in a case involving the administration of a vaccine before October 1, 1988, or on the chief special master's own motion, the chief special master may, in the interest of justice, suspend proceedings on any petition for up to 540 days in addition to the period of suspension allowable under Vaccine Rule 9(a).
(c) Effect. Such periods of suspension shall be excluded for purposes of the time limitations of 42 U.S.C. §300aa–12(d)(3) and Vaccine Rules 4(b) and 10.
(d) Transition Rule. All periods of suspension prior to December 20, 1989, shall be excluded pursuant to Vaccine Rule 9(b). However, if such periods of suspension total more than 90 days in a given case, in computing the 180-day limit of Vaccine Rule 9(a), only 90 of such days shall be counted.
10. Special Master's Decision.
(a) General. The special master shall issue a final decision determining whether or not an award of compensation shall be made, and, if so, the amount thereof. This decision shall be filed within 240 days of the date on which the petition was filed, exclusive of periods of suspension pursuant to Vaccine Rule 9.
(b) Certain Retrospective Cases. In cases in which the vaccination in question occurred prior to October 1, 1988, and in which the vaccine recipient is not deceased, the special master shall defer ruling on the limited issue of the amount of any compensation for lost earnings and pain and suffering, 42 U.S.C. §300aa–15(a)(3) and (4), and combine that ruling with the decision under Vaccine Rule 13.
TITLE III. JUDGMENT AND FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
11. Judgment.
(a) In Absence of Motion for Review. In the absence of the filing of a motion for review within 30 days of the filing of the special master's decision, or if prior to the expiration of such period each party files a notice stating that it will not seek such review, the clerk shall forthwith enter judgment in accordance with the special master's decision.
(b) Stipulation for Judgment. Any stipulation for a money judgment shall be signed by authorized representatives of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General.
12. Election.
(a) General. When no motion for review by the Court of Federal Claims of a decision pursuant to Vaccine Rule 10 is filed by either party, see RCFC Appendix J, Review of Decision of Special Masters rendered pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, petitioner shall, within 90 days after the entry of judgment, file with the clerk an election in writing either (1) to accept the judgment or (2) to file a civil action for damages for the alleged injury or death. Upon failure to file an election within the time prescribed, petitioner shall be deemed to have filed an election to accept the judgment.
(b) Declining Award. An election to decline an award of compensation may be accompanied by a motion for the limited compensation provided by 42 U.S.C. §300aa–15(f)(2). If such a motion has not been filed by the time the election is filed, petitioner will be deemed to have waived that limited compensation. Such motion shall be forwarded to the special master for a decision thereon. The decision of the special master on the motion shall be considered a separate decision for purposes of Vaccine Rules 11 and 18.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
13. Attorneys' Fees and Costs.
Any request for attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §300aa–15(e) shall be filed no later than 21 days following the filing of an election pursuant to Vaccine Rule 12. The clerk shall forward the fee request to the special master to whom the case was assigned for consideration and decision. The decision of the special master on the fee request shall be considered a separate decision for purposes of Vaccine Rules 11 and 18.
TITLE IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS
14. Attorneys.
(a) Attorneys Eligible to Practice. Only attorneys who are members of the bar of the United States Court of Federal Claims and who comply with the Vaccine Rules may enter an appearance, file pleadings, and practice before the Office of Special Masters. The clerk's office will not accept for filing any pleading, motion, or other paper that is not signed by the attorney of record in the case or by member of this bar authorized to sign the attorney of record's name on the attorney of record's behalf. For admission to the bar of the court, RCFC 81(b) shall apply.
(b) Attorneys of Record. There shall be but one attorney of record for a party in any case at any one time, and such attorney of record shall be an individual, and not a firm, who has been admitted to practice before the Court of Federal Claims. Any other attorneys assisting the attorney of record shall be designated as of counsel. The attorney of record shall include on all filings the attorney's name, address, and telephone number. The attorney of record for each party shall promptly file with the clerk a notice of any change in address.
(c) Change of Attorneys. RCFC 81(d) shall apply.
(d) Pro Se. An individual may represent himself or herself or a member of the individual's immediate family as a party before the Office of Special Masters. Any other party, however, must be represented by an attorney who is admitted to practice before the Court of Federal Claims. The terms counsel or attorney in the Vaccine Rules shall include pro se litigants.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
15. Third Parties.
No person may intervene in a vaccine injury compensation proceeding. However, the special master shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit relevant written information. Such information may be submitted within 60 days of publication of notice of the petition in the Federal Register, or later with leave of the special master.
16. Caption of All Filings.
The petition and other filings before the Office of Special Masters shall be captioned with the appropriate title, as follows:
| ) | ||
| ) | ||
| , | ) | |
| Petitioner[s], | ) | |
| v. | ) | No. ____V |
| ) | ||
| SECRETARY OF HEALTH | ) | |
| AND HUMAN SERVICES, | ) | |
| ) | ||
| ) | ||
| Respondent | ) | |
| ) | ||
[TITLE OF FILING]
________________
In pleadings and papers other than the petition, the name of the special master assigned to the case shall appear under the docket number.
(As amended July 15, 1992; Dec. 4, 1992.)
17. Filing and Service of Papers After the Petition.
(a) Filing with the Clerk Defined. All pleadings and other papers required to be filed with the clerk by the Vaccine Rules or by order of the special master shall be forwarded to the clerk of the court at the address noted in Vaccine Rule 2. A document is filed with the Office of Special Masters when actually received and marked filed by the clerk, not when mailed. All matters shall be brought to the attention of the Office of Special Masters through filings with the clerk rather than by correspondence.
(b) Service. A copy of every document filed by any party with the clerk shall be served on the opposing party's attorney or the opposing party pro se, if no appearance of attorney has been entered. A certificate of service showing date of service shall be appended to the original and copies thereof.
(c) Date. Each filing shall bear on the signature page the date on which it is signed.
(d) Number of Copies. The parties shall file an original and 2 copies of each paper required by the Vaccine Rules to be filed with the clerk.
18. Availability of Filings.
(a) General. All filings with the clerk pursuant to the Vaccine Rules are to be made available only to the special master, judge, and parties, with the exception of certain court-produced documents as set forth in part (b) of this rule. A transcript prepared pursuant to Rule 8(e) shall be considered a filing for purposes of this rule.
(b) Decisions and Certain Substantive Orders. All decisions of special masters, and any other substantive orders of a special master that the special master designates to be of precedential value, will be made available to the public, unless the document contains (1) trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential or (2) medical or similar information, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision or designated substantive order is filed with the clerk, the petitioner will be afforded 14 days to identify and move to delete such information prior to disclosure of the document. If, upon review, the special master agrees that the identified material fits the above description, such material shall be deleted for the purpose of public access.
19. Time.
(a) Computation. In computing any period of time, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a federal holiday or, when the act to be done is the filing of a paper in court, a day on which weather or other conditions have made the clerk's office inaccessible, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 11 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall be excluded in the computation. Service by mail is complete upon mailing, but filing is not.
(b) Enlargement. Motions for enlargement of time may be granted for good cause shown. A motion shall set forth the reason or reasons upon which the motion is based. Such motion must contain a representation that the moving party has discussed the motion with opposing counsel and a statement whether an opposition will be filed or, if opposing counsel cannot be consulted, an explanation of the efforts made to do so.
(c) Additional Time After Service by Mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act within a prescribed period after the service of a paper, and the service is made by mail, 3 calendar days shall be added to the prescribed period, unless the special master orders otherwise.
20. Motions.
(a) Motions. A motion to the special master, unless made orally, shall be made in writing, shall state with particularity the grounds therefor, shall set forth the relief or order sought, and shall be filed with the clerk. Any motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a memorandum, and, if necessary, by supporting affidavits. Any motion may be accompanied by a proposed order.
(b) Responses and Replies. Unless otherwise provided by the special master, any response or objection to a written motion shall be filed within 14 days after service of the motion, and any reply shall be filed within 7 days after service of the response or objection.
(c) Oral Argument. Oral argument on a motion may be scheduled by the special master. A party desiring oral argument on a motion shall so request in the motion or response.
21. Dismissal of Petitions.
(a) Voluntary Dismissal; Effect Thereof. A petition may be dismissed by petitioner without order of the special master (1) by filing a notice of dismissal at any time before service of respondent's report or (2) by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared in the proceeding. Unless otherwise stated in the notice of dismissal or stipulation, the dismissal is without prejudice, except that a notice of dismissal may, in the discretion of the special master, be deemed to operate as an adjudication upon the merits when filed by a petitioner who has previously dismissed the same claim in the Office of Special Masters of the Court of Federal Claims or in the court itself.
(b) Failure To Prosecute or Participate. If petitioner fails to prosecute, the petition may be dismissed pursuant to Vaccine Rule 21(c). No judgment shall be entered against respondent despite any failure of participation unless petitioner introduces evidence establishing a right to compensation.
(c) Involuntary Dismissal. For failure of petitioner to prosecute or to comply with the Vaccine Rules or any order of the special master, the special master may dismiss a petition or any claim therein.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
TITLE V. REVIEW OF DECISIONS OF SPECIAL MASTERS RENDERED PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM
22. General. The following procedures apply to motions filed with the United States Court of Federal Claims seeking review of decisions from the Office of Special Masters of the United States Court of Federal Claims in actions filed pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa–10 (West Supp. 1991). The RCFC apply except as provided hereinafter.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
TITLE VI. OBTAINING REVIEW OF A DECISION BY A SPECIAL MASTER
23. Motion for Review and Objections.
To obtain review of a special master's decision, within 30 days after the date on which the decision is filed, a party must file with the clerk a motion for review of the decision. No extensions of time under this rule will be permitted, and the failure of a party to timely file such a motion shall constitute a waiver of the right to obtain review.
24. Memorandum of Objections.
The motion for review must be accompanied by a memorandum of numbered objections to the decision. This memorandum must fully and specifically state and support each objection to the decision. The memorandum shall cite specifically to the record created by the special master, e.g., to specific page numbers of the transcript, exhibits, etc., and should also fully set forth any legal argument the party desires to present to the reviewing judge. The memorandum shall be limited to 20 pages and must conform to the provisions of RCFC 82.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
25. Response.
a. If a motion for review is filed, the other party may file a response thereto within 30 days of the filing of the motion. No extensions of time under this rule will be permitted, and the failure of a party timely to file such a response shall constitute a waiver of the right to respond. The response shall be in memorandum form and shall fully respond to each numbered objection. The memorandum shall cite specifically to the record created by the special master, e.g., to specific page numbers of the transcript, exhibits, etc., and should also fully set forth any legal argument the party desires to present to the reviewing judge. The memorandum shall be limited to 20 pages and must conform to the provisions of RCFC 82.
b. If both parties file motions for review, each party may file a response to the other party's motion.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
TITLE VII. JUDGE'S REVIEW
26. Assignment.
When a motion for review is filed with the clerk, the case will be assigned to a Court of Federal Claims judge to conduct the review.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
27. Review.
The assigned judge shall undertake a review of the objections raised and may thereafter:
a. uphold the findings of fact and conclusions of law and sustain the special master's decision;
b. set aside any finding of fact or conclusion of law found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law and issue the judge's own decision; or
c. remand the case to the special master for further action in accordance with the judge's direction.
28. Time for Review.
The judge shall complete the review within 120 days of the last date for the filing of a response under 3, excluding any days the case is before a special master on remand. If the judge remands the case to a special master, the total period for any remands shall not exceed 90 days.
29. Withdrawal of Petition.
If the judge fails to direct entry of judgment within 420 days after the date on which a petition was filed, excluding any periods of suspension pursuant to Vaccine Rule 9 or remands pursuant to 5c, after the date on which a petition was filed, the petitioner may file a notice to continue or withdraw the petition. Such a notice shall be filed within 90 days after the expiration of the 420-day period.
TITLE VIII. JUDGMENT AND FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
30. Judgment.
a. After Review. After review and decision by a judge, the clerk shall forthwith enter judgment in accordance with the judge's decision.
b. Stipulation for Judgment. Any stipulation for a money judgment shall be signed by authorized representatives of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General.
31. Reconsideration.
If a party seeks reconsideration of a judge's decision, RCFC 59 shall apply.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
32. Notice of Appeal.
Review of a Court of Federal Claims judgment by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit may be obtained by filing with the clerk of the Federal Circuit a petition for review within 60 days of the date of the entry of judgment.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
33. Election.
a. General. After judgment on the merits is entered pursuant to 8a, the petitioner shall within 90 days file with the clerk an election in writing either (1) to accept the judgment or (2) to file a civil action for damages for the alleged injury or death. Upon failure to file an election within the time prescribed, the petitioner shall be deemed to have filed an election to accept judgment.
b. Declining Award. An election to decline an award of compensation may be accompanied by a motion for the limited compensation provided by 42 U.S.C. §300aa–15(f)(2). If such a motion has not been filed by the time the election is filed, the petitioner will be deemed to have waived that limited compensation. Such motion shall be forwarded to the special master for a decision thereon. The decision of the special master on the motion shall be considered a separate decision for purposes of 1, 6, 8a and 13, except that, upon review of such a decision, the time limitations of 6–7 shall not apply, and memoranda filed pursuant to 2–3 shall be limited to 20 pages.
c. When Appeal Is Taken. If a petition for review is taken to the Federal Circuit, the election is to be made within 90 days of the issuance of the appellate court's mandate or of a subsequent judgment of the Court of Federal Claims if the appellate court should order a remand.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
34. Attorneys' Fees and Costs. Any request for attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §300aa–15(e) shall be filed no later than 21 days following the filing of an election pursuant to 11a. The clerk shall forward the fee request to the special master to whom the case was assigned for consideration and decision. The decision of the special master on the fee request shall be considered a separate decision for purposes of 1, 6, 8a and 13, except that upon review of a fee decision, the time limitations of 6–7 shall not apply, and memoranda filed pursuant to 2–3 shall be limited to 15 pages.
35. Availability of Filings.
a. General. All filings with the clerk pursuant to these rules are to be made available only to the court and parties with the exception of certain court-produced documents as set forth in b.
b. Decisions and Certain Substantive Orders. All decisions of the court and any other substantive orders which the court designates to be of precedential value, will be made available to the public unless the document contains (1) trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential or (2) medical or similar information, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision or designated substantive order is filed with the clerk, the petitioner will be afforded 14 days to identify and move to delete such information prior to disclosure of the document. If, upon review, the court agrees that the identified material fits the above description, such material shall be deleted from public access.
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)
(As amended Dec. 4, 1992.)