Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Massachusetts Rules of Electronic Filing Rule 11: Filing of impounded information

Except as otherwise provided, impounded documents should be filed in hard copy with the clerk's office. Such documents must be clearly labeled as impounded, with the appropriate accompanying notice of impoundment or motion to impound pursuant to the Uniform Rules of Impoundment Procedure, and any other applicable Massachusetts Court Rules and Orders.

When permitted by a court, impounded documents may be e-filed through the e-filing system. The User shall identify the document as impounded at the time of filing.

Where an impounded document is submitted through the e-filing system, the User shall mark the cover or first page of the document as impounded.

A User may submit for e-filing a motion to file an impounded document. If the motion is granted, the User shall then submit by conventional methods the impounded document to the clerk's office for filing. A paper copy of the order granting the motion must be attached to documents so filed and delivered to the clerk.

The confidentiality of an electronic record or an electronic or paper copy thereof is equivalent to that of a paper record. Where an impounded document is scanned or otherwise placed in the e-filing system, access may be permitted only to the extent provided by law.