Before determining to close such proceedings, in whole or in part, the court shall give reasonable notice to all parties to the proceedings and such other persons who have advised the clerk of the court in writing, in advance of a specific trial, of their desire to be notified if such a motion is presented and is to be considered by the court. In giving such notice, the court will advise all such persons of the time and place when hearing on the motion shall be heard and shall afford all interested persons, including the general public, a reasonable opportunity to be present and prepare for such hearing.
§ 6-203.Hearing for closure.
Article 2: Closing Hearings to the Public · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceSection 6-203 requires the court to give reasonable advance notice — to the parties and to anyone who has asked in writing to be told about closure motions — before deciding whether to close a proceeding, so interested people, including the public, get a real chance to attend and be heard.
Full Text of § 6-203
Plain-English Summary
Before a Nebraska court can close a hearing under Article 2, it has to give people a chance to weigh in. Section 6-203 requires reasonable notice to all parties to the proceeding, plus anyone else who has told the clerk of court in writing, in advance of a specific trial, that they want to be notified if a closure motion comes up.
The notice itself has to do real work: it must tell everyone entitled to it the time and place of the hearing on the closure motion, and it must give all interested people — including members of the general public — a reasonable opportunity to show up and prepare to be heard. In practice, this rule is what makes the public’s interest in an open courtroom more than a fact on paper: a newspaper, an interested citizen, or an advocacy group that has asked to be kept informed gets a real seat at the table before a judge decides whether to shut the doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is entitled to notice before a court decides whether to close a proceeding?
All parties to the proceeding, and any other person who has advised the clerk of court in writing, before the specific trial, that they want to be notified of any closure motion.
What must the notice include?
The time and place when the hearing on the closure motion will be heard.
Can a member of the public who is not a party attend the hearing on whether to close a proceeding?
Yes. The rule requires the court to afford all interested persons, including the general public, a reasonable opportunity to be present and prepare for the hearing.
How does someone make sure they get notified about a future closure motion in a specific case?
By advising the clerk of court in writing, in advance of the specific trial, of their desire to be notified.
Does this rule apply after a court has already decided to close a proceeding?
No. It governs the notice given before the court determines whether to close the proceeding — the hearing on the closure question itself.
What happens at the hearing this rule requires?
The court considers whether to close the proceeding, and interested persons, including the public, may appear and be heard on the question.
Source & verification. Section text is
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Judicial Branch, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Nebraska. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: notice of hearing to close courtroomright to be notified of closure motionpublic hearing on closing courtclerk notification closure requestnebraska courtroom closure notice