Case Law – RTK Precedent

This page lists the N.H. Supreme Court cases that define precedents for the Right-to-Know law. These are the key cases to help understand what this law means. This list also includes cases interpreting N.H. Const. Part I, Art. 8. Most of these constitutional cases concern records and proceedings of courts and the legislature. Precedential cases like these are also the only cases courts want cited in legal arguments.

• 2022:
  • Colquhoun v. Nashua, Doc. No. 2021-0253 (2022) 10/26/2022 Summary: [records, email, reasonably described requests, time period, limited subject, attorney’s fees, reversed, remanded]
• 2021:
  • Hampstead Sch. Bd. v. SAU 55, Doc. No. 2020-0268 (2021) 4/20/2021 Summary: [records, exemptions, confidential, attorney-client, work product, per se exempt, balancing, investigation, public summary, redactions, modified, affirmed]
• 2020:
  • N.H. Ctr. for Pub. Interest Journalism v. N.H. D.O.J., 173 N.H. 648 (2020) 10/30/2020 Summary: [records, exemptions, per se exempt, internal personnel practices, personnel files, other files, privacy, police misconduct, affirmed, vacated, remanded]
  • Martin v. Rochester, 173 N.H. 378 (2020) 6/9/2020 Summary: [meetings, records, public bodies, advisory committees, administrative, ministerial, copy costs, affirmed]
  • Union Leader v. Salem, 173 N.H. 345 (2020) 5/29/2020 Summary: [records, exemptions, internal personnel practices, per se exempt, Fenniman, overturned, balance test, reversed, remanded]
  • Seacoast Newspapers v. Portsmouth, 173 N.H. 325 (2020) 5/29/2020 Summary: [records, exemptions, internal personnel practices, Fenniman, overturned, narrowed, reversed, remanded]
• 2019:
  • Petition of N.H. Sec. of State & N.H. Atty Gen., 171 N.H. 728 (2019) 1/24/2019 Summary: [records, exemptions, other statutes, discovery, separation of powers, final decisions, vested rights, voter database, vacated]
• 2018:
  • Censabella v. Hillsborough County Atty, 171 N.H. 424 (2018) 10/17/2018 Summary: [records, standing, attorney, reversed, remanded]
• 2017:
  • Taylor v. SAU 55, 170 N.H. 322 (2017) 9/21/2017 Summary: [records, electronic, copy cost, delivery, thumb drive, format, email, affirmed]
  • Clay v. City of Dover, 169 N.H. 681 (2017) 2/24/2017 Summary: [records, confidential, personnel, hiring, superintendent, reversed]
• 2016:
  • Reid v. N.H. Atty. General, 169 N.H. 509 (2016) 12/23/2016 Summary: [records, privacy, confidential, personnel, investigation, vacated]
  • Grafton Cty. Atty.’s Office v. Canner, 169 N.H. 319 (2016) 8/23/2016 Summary: [records, privacy, confidential, arrest, prosecution, court, annulled, affirmed]
  • N.H. Right to Life v. N.H. Charitable Trusts Unit, 169 N.H. 95 (2016) 6/2/2016 Summary: [records, privacy, financial, work product, quasi-public agency, costs, attorney’s fees]
  • Green v. SAU 55, 168 N.H. 796 (2016) 4/19/2016 Appellant Brief and Appendix, Appellee Brief, Summary: [records, electronic, format]
  • Sumner v. Secretary of State, 168 N.H. 667 (2016) 3/22/2016 Copy: Courts Summary: [records, ballots, legislature, separation of powers, justiciability, summary judgement, denied]
• 2015:
  • CaremarkPCS Health, LLC v. N.H. Dep’t. of Admin. Svcs., 167 N.H. 583 (2015) 4/30/2015 Copy: Courts Summary: [records, confidential, trade secrets]
• 2012:
  • 38 Endicott Street North, LLC v. State Fire Marshal, 163 N.H. 656 (2012) 5/22/2012 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 8, 9 [records, law enforcement, fire marshall]
  • Professional Firefighters of N.H. v. N.H. Local Government Center, 163 N.H. 613 (2012) 5/11/2012 Copy: Courts Defendants Reply Summary: NHMA Murdough 2, 9 [records, minutes, legal consultation, public, confidential exemption]
• 2011:
  • Ettinger v. Madison Planning Board, 162 N.H. 785 (2011) 12/8/2011 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 2, 9 Eggert 26 [non-meeting, legal consultation]
  • Premium Research Services v. N.H. Dept. of Labor, 162 N.H. 741 (2011) 11/29/2011 Copy: Courts Summary: Murdough 8, 10 [records, workers compensation, explicit exemption]
  • Union Leader Corp. v. N.H. Retirement System, 162 N.H. 673 (2011) 11/3/2011 Copy: Courts FindLaw Summary: NHMA Murdough 7, 10 Eggert 8 [records, pensions]
  • Montenegro v. City of Dover, 162 N.H. 641 (2011) 11/2/2011 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 7, 10 Eggert 27 [records, law enforcement, personnel exemption, job titles]
  • Hampton Police Ass’n v. Town of Hampton, 162 N.H. 7 (2011) 4/28/2011 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 4, 10 Eggert 8 [records, legal invoices]
  • ATV Watch v. N.H. Dept. of Transp., 161 N.H. 746 (2011) 4/26/2011 Copy: Courts Plaintiff Memo Summary: NHMA Murdough 5, 10 Eggert 14, 21 [records, search]
• 2010:
  • Hull v. Grafton County, 10 A. 3d 1193 (2010) 10/19/2010 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA [meeting, notice, ratify, remedies, invalidate, injunction, attorney’s fees, monitor, enjoin]
  • Professional Firefighters of N.H. v. Local Gov. Center, Inc., 159 N.H. 699 (2010) 1/29/2010 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 7, 11 [records, quasi-public entity, salaries, attorney’s fees]
• 2008:
  • Lambert v. Belknap County Convention, 157 N.H. 375 (2008) 6/13/2008 Copy: Courts Summary: NHMA Murdough 7, 11 AG 16, 26, 31[meeting, secret ballot, appointment, invalidate, records, applications, privacy]
• 2007:
  • ATV Watch v. N.H. Dept. of Res. & Economic Dev., 155 N.H. 434 (2007) 5/11/2007 Copy: RTKC Courts Summary: NHMA Eggert 14, 15 AG 35, 43 [records, time, remedies, fees, factors for delay]
• 2006:
  • Murray v. N.H. Div. of State Police, 154 N.H. 579 (2006) 12/20/2006 Copy: RTKC Summary: Murdough 9, 10 Eggert 26 AG 30, 32, 33, 34 [records, law enforcement]
  • WMUR v. N.H. Dept. of Fish and Game, 154 N.H. 46 (2006) 8/3/2006 Summary: NHMA Eggert 16 AG 1, 12, 43 [meeting, recording, remedies, fees based on case law]
  • Hounsell v. North Conway Water Precinct, 154 N.H. 1 (2006) 8/1/2006 Summary: Eggert 19 AG 24, 85 [records, privacy exemption, internal personnel]
• 2005:
  • Associated Press v. State of N.H., 153 N.H. 120 (2005) 12/30/2005 Copy: RTKC Summary: Bar AG 34, 40, 45 [courts, records, financial affidavits, constitution]
  • Hughes v. Speaker of the N.H. House of Representatives, 152 N.H. 276 (2005) 6/02/2005 Copy: RTKC Summary: AG 1, 3, 10 [legislature, constitution, conference, rules, speech and debate]
  • Lamy v. N.H. Pub. Utils. Comm’n, 152 N.H. 106 (2005) 4/11/2005 Copy: RTKC Superior Summary: NHMA Eggert 20 AG 24, 25, 40 [records, privacy exemption]
• 2004:
  • Professional Firefighters of N.H. v. Healthtrust, Inc., 151 N.H. 501 (2004) 11/30/2004 Copy: RTKC Summary: NHMA AG 4, 5 [records, quasi-public entity, in camera review, attorney’s fees]
• 2003:
  • DeVere v. State of N.H., 149 N.H. 674 (2003) 07/08/2003 Copy: RTKC[records, license plates and names]
  • N.H. Civil Liberties Union v. City of Manchester, 149 N.H. 437 (2003) 04/30/2003 Copy: RTKC Summary: Eggert 9, 16, 17, 20 AG 19 [records, availability]
• 2002:
  • Goode v. N.H. Legislative Budget Assistant, 148 N.H. 551 (2002) 11/25/2002 Copy: RTKC Summary: AG 1, 21, 25, 43[records, work papers, confidential, audit, interviews, attorney’s fees]
  • Petition of Union Leader, 147 N.H. 603 (2002) 4/16/2002 Summary: AG 1 [courts, records, administrative, minutes, agendas]
• 2001:
  • Hawkins v. N.H. Dep’t of Health and Human Services, 147 N.H. 376 (2001) 12/31/2001 Copy: RTKC Summary: Eggert 12 Comstock Bar AG 21, 37, 38, 66 [records, electronic, format, compilation, costs]
  • DeVere v. Attorney General, 146 N.H. 762 (2001) 9/20/2001 Copy: RTKC Summary: AG 27 [records, motor vehicle]
  • Petition of the State of New Hampshire (Bowman Search Warrants), 146 N.H. 621 (2001) 7/16/2001 Summary: AG 45 [courts, records, search warrants, grand jury]
  • Webster v. Town of Candia, 146 N.H. 430 (2001) 5/21/2001 Summary: AG 7 [chance, social, decisions, non-meetings]
  • Douglas v. Douglas, 146 N.H. 205 (2001) 1/3/2001 Summary: Eggert 7 Comstock [courts, records, divorce, financial affidavits]
• 2000:
  • Goode v. N.H. Legislative Budget Assistant, 145 N.H. 451 (2000) 12/05/2000 Copy: RTKC Summary: Eggert 7, 9 Bar [records, draft]
• 1999:
  • Disabilities Rights Center, Inc. v. Comm’r, N.H. Dept. of Corrections, 146 N.H. 430 (1999) 6/29/1999 Summary: AG 28 [records, remedies, attorney’s fees]
• 1998:
  • Pivero v. Largy, Chief of Nashua Police Dept., 143 N.H. 187 (1998) 12/8/1998 [records, personnel file, investigation]
• 1997:
  • Union Leader Corp. v. N.H. Hous. Fin. Auth., 142 N.H. 540 (1997) 12/31/1997 Copy: RTKC Summary: Eggert 7 Bar AG 33, 44 [public body, state, records, financial]
  • N.H. Challenge Inc. v. Commissioner, N.H. Dept. of Education, 142 N.H. 246 (1997) 8/11/1997 Summary: Bar AG 44 [remedies, fees, criteria]
• 1996:
  • Union Leader Corp. v. City of Nashua, 141 N.H. 473 (1996) 12/05/1996 Copy: RTKC Summary: Eggert 8, 9 AG 25, 29 [records, law enforcement, motives]
• 1995:
  • Voelbel v. Town of Bridgewater, 140 N.H. 446 (1995) 11/21/1995 Summary: AG 44 [remedies, fees, criteria]
• 1994:
  • Petition of Burling, 139 N.H. 266 (1994) 12/29/1994 [courts, records, separation of powers]
• 1993:
  • Union Leader Corp. v. Fenniman, 136 N.H. 624 (1993) 2/17/1993 Summary: AG 25 [records, exemptions, internal personnel practices, discipline, investigation, OVERTURNED in 2020]
• 1992:
  • Petition of Keene Sentinel, 136 N.H. 121 (1992) 8/27/1992 Summary: Bar AG 45 [records, judicial exemption, statute of limitations, constitution, motives, privacy exemption, subject of nondisclosure]
  • Johnson v. Nash, 135 N.H. 534 (1992) 6/28/1992 Summary: AG 15, 44 [notice, hearing, personal]
  • Chambers v. Gregg, 135 N.H. 478 (1992) 4/24/1992 Summary: Eggert 8 AG 20, 28, 44 [records, budgets]
• 1989:
  • Brent v. Paquette, 132 N.H. 415 (1989) 12/8/1989 Summary: Eggert 17 AG 36, 41 [records, minutes, notes, recordings, appointments, unable/busy, privacy exemption, waiting period, format, compilation]
• 1986:
  • Perras v. Clements, 127 N.H. 603 (1986) 1/6/1986 Summary: Eggert 26 AG 28 [records, real estate]
• 1985:
  • Appeal of Town of Exeter, 126 N.H. 685 (1985) 7/1/1985 Summary: AG 8 [collective bargaining, non-meetings]
  • Appeal of Plantier, 126 N.H. 500 (1985) 5/23/1985 Summary: AG 16 [non-public, hearing, public]
• 1983:
  • State of N.H. v. LaFrance, 124 N.H. 171 (1983) 11/23/1983 [courts, proceedings, meetings, legislature, separation of powers]
• 1982:
  • Brown v. Bedford School Bd., 122 N.H. 627 (1982) 7/7/1982 Summary: AG 9 [meetings, non-public, notice, personal, probationary]
  • State v. Purrington, 122 N.H. 458 (1982) 5/20/1982 Summary: AG 23 [records, grand jury exemption]
• 1981:
  • Gallagher v. Town of Windham, 121 N.H. 156 (1981) 11/3/1981 Summary: AG 37 [records, copies, availability]
  • Orford Teachers Ass’n v. Watson, 121 N.H. 118 (1981) 3/6/1981 Summary: AG 14, 36 [non-public, minutes, details, notes]
• 1980:
  • Town of Nottingham v. Harvey, 120 N.H. 889 (1980) 12/29/1980 Summary: AG 9 [meetings, notice, recess]
  • Appeal of Portsmouth Trust Co., 120 N.H. 753 (1980) 11/26/1980 Summary: Eggert 26 AG 28 [records, banks]
• 1979:
  • Keene Pub. Corp. v. Cheshire County Super. Ct., 119 N.H. 710 (1979) 9/13/1979 [courts, proceedings, meetings, press]
  • Union Leader v. Chandler, 119 N.H. 442 (1979) 6/8/1979
  • Rochester School Board v. N.H. PELRB, 119 N.H. 45 (1979) 2/14/1979 Summary: [records, salaries, labor dispute, remedies, costs]
• 1978:
  • Lodge v. Knowlton, 118 N.H. 574 (1978) 9/18/1978 Summary: Eggert 8 AG 4, 20, 28, 29 [records, law enforcement, criteria]
• 1977:
  • Keene Pub. Corp. v. Keene Dist. Ct., 117 N.H. 959 (1977) 11/23/1977 [courts, proceedings, meetings, press]
  • Thomson v. Cash, 117 N.H. 653 (1977) 8/1/1977 [courts, records, depositions, press]
• 1975:
  • Bradbury v. Shaw, 116 N.H. 388 (1976) 6/30/1976 [meetings, records, public body, advisory committee, attorney’s fees, copy costs]
  • Society for Protection of N.H. Forests v. Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission, 115 N.H. 192 (1975) 4/30/1975 Summary: Eggert 26 AG 8, 27 [meetings, legal consultation, non-meetings, records, legal exemption]
• 1974:
  • Talbot v. Concord Union School Dist., 114 N.H. 532 (1974) 7/30/1974 Summary: AG 8 [meetings, negotiations, collective bargaining, non-meetings]
  • Stoneman v. Tamworth School District, 114 N.H. 371 (1974) 5/31/1974 Summary: AG 44 [meetings, non-public, notice, personnel, remedies, invalidate]
  • Timberlane Regional Education Assn. v. Crompton, 114 N.H. 315 (1974) 5/17/1974 Summary: Eggert 8 AG 20 [records, substitutes, addresses]
• 1973:
  • Menge v. Manchester, 113 N.H. 533 (1973) 9/28/1973 Summary: Eggert 8 AG 14, 20 [records, electronic, privacy, confidential exemption, taxes, appraisal]
  • Carter v. Nashua, 113 N.H. 407 (1973) 7/31/1973 Summary: [meetings, notice, remedies, invalidate]
  • 1590 Broadcasting Corp. v. Public Util. Comm’n, 113 N.H. 258 (1973) 5/31/1973 [meetings, recording, broadcast]
• 1972:
  • Mans v. Lebanon School Board, 112 N.H. 160 (1972) 4/28/1972 Summary: Murdough 11 Eggert 8 AG 20, 26, 29, 41 [records, privacy, salaries, contracts, motives, balancing test]
  • Sherman v. Town of Brentwood, 112 N.H. 122 (1972) 4/10/1972 [meetings, non-public, zoning variance, injunction, denied]
• 1971:
  • Hardiman v. Dover, 111 N.H. 377 (1971) 12/7/1971 [meetings, notice, zoning, invalidate, intentional]
  • Herron v. Northwood, 111 N.H. 324 (1971) 10/5/1971 Summary: AG 6 [meetings, non-public, budget]
  • Opinion of the Justices, 111 N.H. 175 (1971) 5/25/1971 [constitution, legislature]
• 1968:
  • Selkowe v. Bean, 109 N.H. 247 (1968) 12/31/1968 Summary: AG 3 [public body, committees, non-public]
  • DiPietro v. City of Nashua, 109 N.H. 174 (1968) 10/1/1968 Summary: AG 13 [minutes, level of detail]