TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 29, 2025

Federal trial courts across the United States are issuing new orders restricting access to sealed documents following a directive from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOC) in response to recent cyberattacks on the judiciary’s case system. More than 20 courts have posted standing orders stating that while sealed documents may be filed through the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system, they cannot be viewed electronically. The move comes after the judiciary reported “sophisticated and persistent” cyberattacks that targeted sealed filings in espionage and other sensitive cases, with Bloomberg News reporting that Russian government hackers had infiltrated the system for years. The AOC said it is implementing a sealed document security system to address vulnerabilities and strengthen protections. The changes follow earlier restrictions this summer, including a July order from the Eastern District of Virginia requiring sealed documents be filed only in hard copy. A Senate classified briefing on Sept. 9 addressed the breach, which lawmakers said raised concerns about national security and the judiciary’s ability to safeguard sensitive records.