Most readers already know the answer to the question in the title. This post is, honestly, mainly for newer attorneys and people who search for this question.
But it's something that comes up a lot! When a jury first issues a verdict on a verdict form, it shows up on the docket like this:
285 [SEALED] JURY VERDICT. (nms) (Entered: 09/27/2024)
Acceleration Bay, LLC v. Amazon Web Services, Inc., C.A. No. 22-904, D.I. 285 (D. Del. Sept. 27, 2024).
Often, there will be a panicked question from (typically) a newer associate on the case, along the lines of "Why is the verdict sealed? Are we not allowed to tell the client? What can we send them?"
Fear not! The verdict sheet is sealed because it has the juror names/signatures, and the Court typically issues a redacted version the same day that can be shared with the client or anyone else. The docket entry will look like this:
286 REDACTED VERSION of 286 Sealed Jury Verdict. (nms) (Entered: 09/27/2024)
Id., D.I. 286.
Until then, a verdict announced in open court is not sealed and can normally be shared. The only sealed item is the verdict form containing the juror's names.
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