Sealing Of Records Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Sealing Of Records, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Sealing Of Records?

(n) Sealing of records is the order issued by a judge to keep the trial records, statement, documents and orders made on the trial proceeding to be sealed to keep secrete, if the situation so warrant or when publishing of such documents are detrimental to the society.

History and Meaning of Sealing Of Records

Sealing of records is an order issued by a judge in a legal proceeding to keep the records and documents of the trial procedure secret. This order is typically given in situations where the information contained in those records could be detrimental to society or where the publication of those documents is not in the interest of justice. The order can be issued for various documents, including witness statements and court orders, and can be temporary or permanent.

The practice of sealing records has been used by the legal system for centuries. Prior to modern technology, the process involved physically locking the records away to prevent them from being accessed by unauthorized parties. Today, records are typically sealed by court order and placed in secure electronic storage. The practice is an important tool for protecting the privacy of individuals involved in legal proceedings and preventing sensitive information from being made public.

Examples of Sealing Of Records

  1. In a high-profile criminal trial, the defense team may request that certain records be sealed to prevent the details of the trial from leaking to the media.

  2. In a civil lawsuit involving sensitive business information, the parties may agree to have the records sealed to prevent their competitors from gaining access to trade secrets.

  3. In cases involving minors, the court may order that the records be sealed to protect the child's privacy and prevent sensitive information from being made public.

  4. In cases involving national security or intelligence gathering, the government may seek to seal records to prevent unauthorized access to classified information.

Legal Terms Similar to Sealing Of Records

  1. Expungement: The permanent removal of a criminal record from public view.

  2. Redaction: The process of removing or censoring certain information from a document.

  3. Protective Order: A court order that prohibits the disclosure of certain information or documents to protect the interests of one or more parties in a legal proceeding.

  4. Non-Disclosure Agreement: A legal document that prohibits the recipient from disclosing certain confidential information.

  5. Confidentiality Agreement: A contract between two parties that restricts the disclosure of certain information to third parties.