The Federal Circuit late this evening announced the closure of the National Courts Building and the cancellation of tomorrow’s previously scheduled telephonic arguments. This announcement comes on the heels of two prior announcements this week that the clerk’s office would close in the afternoon and be inaccessible for paper filings. While the court did not explain the closure, besides the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the National Courts Building sits on Lafayette Square, the site of recent protests over police brutality. Here is the text of this evening’s announcement.
“The National Courts Building in Washington, D.C. will be closed to staff and the public on Friday, June 5, 2020. Pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 26(a), the Clerk’s Office will be temporarily inaccessible for submitting paper filings, mail and courier deliveries, and night box submissions. Arguments scheduled for June 5, 2020, are canceled and will be rescheduled.”
“Electronic case filing will remain available through CM/ECF and electronic filing deadlines remain in effect. Paper filings and submissions due on June 5, 2020, will be deemed as timely filed if received by the next day the court is open to the public. The Clerk’s Office will continue to provide remote services consistent with our previously announced modified public assistance.”