Constitutional Law
Oct. 16, 2025
Public access to civil courts is a constitutional mandate, not a courtesy
Despite longstanding precedent affirming the public's right to access civil court proceedings, recent actions in Los Angeles courtrooms underscore the need to reaffirm a core principle: Public and press access to civil proceedings is a constitutional right -- one that has never been more vital.
Kelli L. Sager
Partner
Davis, Wright & Tremaine LLP
865 S Figueroa St #2400
Los Angeles , CA 90017
Email: kellisager@dwt.com
Univ of Utah COL; Salt Lake City UT
She was lead counsel in NBC Subsidiary v. Superior Court, 20 Cal. 4th 1178 (1999), and regularly represents media companies and journalists.
More than 25 years ago, the California Supreme Court held unanimously that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution gives the public and press a presumptive right of access to civil court proceedings. NBC Subsidiary v. Superior Court, 20 Cal. 4th 1178, 86 Cal. Rptr. 2d 788 (1999). Chief Justice Ronald George, writing for the Court, detailed the extensive historical support for its ruling, citing decades of case law from the Unit...
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