Newspaper alleges civil file improperly sealed

After an entire civil case was closed to the public, the Charlotte Observer filed a motion in Union County Superior Court seeking access to the file, alleging its closure was improper. The court did not provide a reason for sealing the file; After requesting a copy of the records, the Observer was given "a single sheet of paper with a handwritten note saying the file had been sealed in its entirety," an Observer article stated.

Sealing a civil case in its entirety is a rare practice. Courts often require specific findings prior to closure of a file, but do not typically provide civil closure orders to the public.