W.D. Mich. LCrR 49.8

(a) Motions to authorize filing a Limited Access Document (LAD) - The procedures

set forth in this rule apply to cases that have not been sealed in their

entirety. Documents may be submitted for filing as an LAD only if authorized by

the court for good cause shown. A party seeking leave to file a document as an

LAD must file a motion requesting such relief, unless the court has entered a

previous order that authorizes such a filing. The motion seeking leave to file an

LAD should generally be a public filing, unless the submitting party believes in

good faith that public access to the motion will compromise the confidential

matter. A proposed LAD submitted by a registered attorney must be submitted

electronically as an LAD under a separate docket entry, by using the appropriate

CM/ECF event. The docket entry and the NEF for any LAD will be available for

public viewing; the description of the LAD should therefore be general in nature

(e.g., sealed affidavit or restricted access exhibit). The proposed LAD shall be

appropriately identified as such, but should not contain the word

"proposed". Proposed LADs submitted by parties other than registered attorneys

must be filed in paper with the clerk of court in a sealed envelope bearing the case

caption and number, the identity of the party submitting the documents, and a

general description of the contents; the proposed LAD will be scanned and

maintained electronically as an LAD. If the court denies the motion for filing an

LAD in whole or in part, the proposed LAD will remain as such, but the court may

order the submitting party to tender a redacted document for public filing, or

otherwise proceed to ensure that the public record includes, to the maximum extent

possible, the basis for the Court’s decision on any contested issue. If the court

grants leave to file the document as an LAD, the clerk of court will modify the

docket entry to remove reference to "proposed."

(b) Access to LADs – LADs may be accessed electronically only by authorized

personnel of this court and the court of appeals, but not by the public or any attorney

or party.

(c) Service of LADs - A party submitting an LAD must serve it by non-electronic

means of service on all other parties and file a proof of service.

(d) Death penalty and other complex litigation - The parties to a death-eligible case, a

death-penalty case, or other complex litigation involving numerous LADs may be

ordered to comply with a special protocol for submission of LADs and ex parte

documents, which will supersede the procedures set forth in this rule.