Rule 24 - Copies and Custody of Filed Papers; Confidentiality of Records(a) COPIES AND CUSTODY OF FILED PAPERS. (1)Certified Copies. When a paper is received and filed, the clerk must stamp the date of filing on the face of the paper next to the title of the case and must also stamp the date of filing separately on any exhibit. If a person filing a paper requests a certification of the filing, the clerk must mark a copy of the paper to show the time and date of filing and initials of the person with whom the paper was filed. The certified copy is prima facie evidence in any proceeding that the original of the paper was filed as shown by the certification.(2)Custody of Documents. The clerk or his or her designee is the custodian of all papers filed in adoption matters.(b) CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS. (1)Sealing and Inspection of Records. In accordance with D.C. Code § 16-311 (2012 Repl.), adoption records must remain sealed and may not be inspected by any person, including the parties, except on order of the court.(2)Case Summary. (A)Persons Entitled to Summary. On written request, the clerk must provide a summary of the adoption proceedings to:(i) the reporting agency to whom the petition was referred under Rule 3(c)(1);(ii) the licensed child-placing agency to which relinquishment of the prospective adoptee was made;(iii) the Office of Attorney General in a case in which the Mayor is a party;(iv) counsel of record; and(v) the petitioner, if self-represented.(B)Content. The summary includes the case number and annotations of actions taken and hearings scheduled. The names of parties, addresses, and other confidential information must not be provided.(C)Obtaining Summary. The requesting party may obtain the summary by: (i) picking it up at the clerk's office;(ii) requesting that the clerk send the summary by certified mail with return receipt requested; or(iii) an electronic method approved by the court.(3)Duty of Attorney. When an attorney is provided with or learns of another party's identifying information, which is not known to the attorney's client, the attorney must not knowingly and intentionally reveal the identifying information to the client. For the purposes of this rule, identifying information includes names, addresses, and any information that could reasonably lead to the discovery of a party's identity. If the attorney knowingly and intentionally reveals the identifying information, the court, on motion or its own initiative, may sanction the attorney.(4)Obtaining Transcript. On motion, the court may permit a party to obtain a transcript of all or part of the recorded judicial proceedings. The court may determine a motion for transcript without waiting for a response from another party. When granting a motion, the court may impose any conditions that it deems appropriate.Adop. R. Sup. Ct. D.C. 24
COMMENT
This rule combines the provisions regarding custody and confidentiality of records, including transcripts. Civil Rule 201(c)-(e), which is made applicable by Rule 1, addresses the endorsement on the transcript, the transcript on appeal, and the security of the original transcript.