Legal Definitions - secret session

A secret session refers to a meeting of a legislative body, or a committee within it, that is closed to the public, the press, and often even to staff who do not possess the necessary security clearances or a "need-to-know." The discussions and proceedings held during a secret session are considered confidential, and details are not typically disclosed publicly, either during or after the session, unless a specific decision is made to release certain information.

These sessions are usually convened to address highly sensitive matters where public disclosure could compromise national security, diplomatic efforts, ongoing investigations, or confidential personnel issues, thereby requiring a private forum for deliberation.

• Example 1: National Security Briefing

  The Senate convenes a secret session to receive a classified briefing from the Director of National Intelligence regarding a newly discovered foreign cyber threat targeting critical national infrastructure. During this session, senators discuss potential responses and the highly sensitive intelligence without public disclosure, which prevents alerting the adversary or revealing sensitive defense strategies.

  This illustrates a secret session because the meeting is closed to the public and press, allowing lawmakers to discuss confidential national security information without compromising ongoing efforts or revealing sensitive details that could be exploited by adversaries.

• Example 2: Confidential Personnel Review

  A municipal city council holds a secret session to deliberate on the performance review and potential disciplinary action for the city's police chief, following allegations of mismanagement. The session is closed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved and to allow for a frank discussion of sensitive personnel information before any final decision is made public.

  This demonstrates a secret session as the council meets privately to discuss a confidential personnel matter, ensuring privacy for the individuals involved and enabling open discussion of sensitive employment details without public scrutiny that could prejudice the outcome or violate privacy rights.

• Example 3: Sensitive Diplomatic Negotiations

  During a period of heightened international tension, a country's parliament holds a secret session to discuss the final terms of a critical trade agreement with a neighboring nation. The confidential nature of the session allows members to debate sensitive concessions and strategic implications without external pressure or premature leaks that could derail the delicate negotiations.

  This exemplifies a secret session because the legislative body meets in private to discuss highly sensitive diplomatic and economic strategies. Keeping the discussions confidential prevents other nations from gaining an advantage or public opinion from prematurely influencing complex international negotiations.