FedCircuitBlog

As reported in our news post this morning, following a period of public comment, the Federal Circuit announced that it has adopted amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice and the Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules. These amendments take effect July 1, 2020, and will apply to all cases filed or pending on or after July 1.

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.

Last week, the Federal Circuit issued a Notice Concerning the Conducting and Scheduling of Oral Argument. In it, the court announced that it has suspended all in-person arguments until further notice. In addition, the court announced that cases set for argument after the June 2020 session will be argued telephonically unless otherwise notified by a separate order that oral argument is unnecessary. The court also issued an order on point.

This afternoon the Federal Circuit announced various modifications to its operations, “including suspending the filing of certain paper copies, establishing modified filing and service procedures for parties appearing pro se, authorizing changes to how the Clerk’s Office provides assistance to the public, and providing additional guidance to counsel concerning the scheduling of future court hearings.” The court’s announcement includes links to an administrative order and three notices outlining particular modifications to the court’s procedures. The court said it was making these changes “to continue court operations in response to ongoing public health emergencies.”

Today the Federal Circuit announced that, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the court has canceled its Judicial Conference previously scheduled for May 15, 2020 in Washington DC, including all related events. The court indicated it hopes to reschedule the conference.

This afternoon the Federal Circuit issued an “Updated Public Advisory Concerning the Federal Circuit’s April 2020 Sitting.” In it, the court announced it is converting all remaining oral arguments still scheduled for April to telephonic hearings. Here are the details.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued a “Public Advisory Restricting Access to the National Courts Building,” which puts in place restrictions effective at noon Eastern time today. The Advisory indicates these restrictions “will help promote the safety and health of both court staff and members of the public conducting court business.”

This morning the Federal Circuit issued a “Public Advisory Concerning the Federal Circuit’s April 2020 Sitting.” In it, the court announced that it was taking three different approaches to its cases scheduled for oral argument next month. Here are the details.

On October 1, the Federal Circuit announced that its Clerk’s Office released an updated version of the court’s Electronic Filing Procedures. The Electronic Filing Procedures include important and even helpful information to anyone practicing in front of the court.