Opinion
PER CURIAM.
The adoption statutes provide that, for good cause, the files, records, and orders of the trial court and of the State Welfare Department may be sealed and the proceedings conducted in such a way as to protect the identity of the parties. Ark.Stat.Ann. § 56-117 (Repl.1971); see also § 22-404.1 (Repl.1962). In deciding adoption cases on appeal this court has, on its own initiative, occasionally protected the identity of the litigants. A. v. B., 217 Ark. 844, 233 S.W.2d 629 (1950); A and B v. C and D, 239 Ark. 406, 390 S.W.2d 116 (1965). There is, however, no specified procedure to be followed in such cases.
Whenever it is thought that the identity of the parties to an adoption proceeding should be protected in this court or in the Court of Appeals, counsel for either side may send a letter to the Clerk, asking for that action and enclosing eight copies of any motions and affidavits that may be appropriate. Opposing counsel must be served with a copy of the letter and its enclosures and will have 10 days after their receipt in which to respond. The Clerk will then submit the matter to the proper court, which will take any action that may be necessary, with notification to counsel. Since the style of the case may be changed by the court, the printing of briefs should be deferred until the court acts in the matter.