The Ryan N. Rice 2018 Irrevocable Trust v. Rehab.com, LLC
June 11, 2026·25-1489·Per Curiam·By Maria Santos
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court order denying motions to seal a complaint and to reconsider that denial. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's handling of the case after the parties settled and dismissed the action with prejudice.
The case originated in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The defendants filed motions to seal the complaint and to reconsider the denial of those motions after the parties had settled the case and the action was dismissed with prejudice.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed the record and the appellants’ arguments, finding no reversible error. The court noted that Rule ten of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure does not grant a license to build a new record on appeal.
What it means going forward
The decision reinforces that motions to seal filed after a settlement and dismissal with prejudice are subject to strict appellate review, and courts will not expand the record on appeal beyond what was before the district court.
