It is the duty of the clerk to insure the integrity of each file. At no time shall any file be given to any person to be examined outside the area allocated for file review. The file review area shall be within full view of court personnel whenever possible. Supervision over file use shall be direct whenever possible. At no time shall any person be allowed to leave the court facility until the file has been returned to be refiled and court personnel has examined the completeness of the file if that is part of the court's procedure.

The clerk of each court, in conjunction with the court's Administrative Justice, shall set reasonable administrative regulations governing the scheduling of access to records. All such regulations shall be designed to cause the least disruption to the clerk's office and shall be balanced against the need to provide timely access. The regulations may include the requirement of requesting access in writing, the scheduling of an appointment to inspect documents during off-peak hours, etc.

The right to public access shall generally include the right to make notes and to obtain copies at normal rates.

A presumption exists that all court records are subject to public inspection.

    The public right of access to specific court records must be weighed and balanced against nondisclosure interests as established by the Federal and/or New Hampshire Constitution or by statutory provision granting or requiring confidentiality.

It is the express policy of the Judicial Branch of New Hampshire to allow public access to court records. This policy is intended to recognize and effectuate the public's rights to access proceedings under the New Hampshire Constitution.

 In State v. Wentworth, 118 N.H. 832, 395 A.2d 858 (1978), the Supreme Court of New Hampshire prescribed a model charge, which is set out below, for use by trial judges in their instructions to the jury on the issue of reasonable doubt. The charge was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Tsoumas v. State of New Hampshire, 611 F.2d 412 (1980). In State v. Aubert, 120 N.H.

(a)  In the event that either party to an action shall appeal the decision of the Master or of a Justice to the Supreme Court, the Guardian ad Litem may, in his/her discretion or upon order of the court, participate in said appeal if it is determined by the Guardian ad Litem, Master or Justice that the issues appealed substantially affect the child or represented person.

(a)  A Guardian ad Litem shall make no public statements relating to pending cases.

(b)  A Guardian ad Litem shall maintain the integrity of the judicial process.

A Guardian ad Litem may communicate the fact that the Guardian ad Litem has certain areas of expertise. A Guardian ad Litem may communicate that the Guardian ad Litem has passed the training course required by the New Hampshire Guardian ad Litem Board and has been certified by the New Hampshire Guardian ad Litem Board to serve. The Guardian ad Litem may set forth his or her educational background and professional certifications, if any.