Wilson

In this case we hold that after entry of an order sealing all or part of the record in a civil proceeding, members of the public, who were not parties to the proceeding at the time the order was entered, may challenge the continued need for the order.

I

Factual and Procedural Background

These proceedings were commenced in 1987 when George L. Wilson and Jean Wilson filed a complaint against defendant and respondent Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC). In 1988, with the active assistance of the trial court, the Honorable Vincent P. Di Figlia presiding, the Wilsons and SAIC settled the lawsuit. As a condition of their settlement agreement, the Wilsons and SAIC stipulated the court file and the settlement agreement would be sealed, and on September 13, 1988, Judge Di Figlia entered an order on their stipulation.

In 1994, movant and appellant Copley Press, Inc. (Copley), moved for an order unsealing the court’s file. Copley argued that in the absence of compelling reasons to maintain confidentiality, a prior order sealing records must be lifted.

SAIC filed an opposition to Copley’s motion and argued the order sealing the court’s record should not be disturbed…