Instructions to Request Remote Public Access to Civil Proceedings

There is no right of remote public audio access to any proceeding, and no judge is required to provide remote public audio access to any particular proceeding. However, in September 2023, the Judicial Conference approved a new policy that permits judges, at their discretion, to provide remote public audio access for certain civil proceedings. This allows members of the public or media to access some civil proceedings live by listening to the audio in accordance with applicable statutes and rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

(Remote public audio access to criminal proceedings is not permitted.)

Please follow the steps below to request permission for remote public audio access for a civil proceeding (virtual or in-person):

1. Send an email to ecfhelp@njd.uscourts.gov stating that you would like remote public audio access. You must include your name and telephone number, the case name, case number, and the date and time of the hearing. By submitting your request, you consent to follow all of the Court’s teleconferencing rules. (Court hearings can be monitored via the Court’s ECF RSS feed or by viewing Calendar Events Report or Docket Activity Report on PACER).
2. Await the Court’s determination as to whether remote access is granted or denied.
3. If remote access is granted, the Court will send you via email the rules and instructions for audio access to the hearing. These instructions are intended solely for your use and must not be shared with anyone. Unauthorized sharing of access information may result in the revocation of your access privileges.

Please be aware that if a judge exercises discretion to allow remote access and a proceeding develops in a way that remote public audio access is no longer prudent, the judge may terminate or pause remote public audio access at any time.