FedCircuitBlog

Today, the Federal Circuit Clerk’s Office provided a notice advising the public that, while in-person filings are now available, the court encourages the filing of paper documents through the U.S. Postal Service. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

This morning the Federal Circuit announced that the Clerk’s Office will be inaccessible today for purposes of receiving paper filings, mail and courier deliveries, and night box submissions. The court noted that nonelectronic filings and submissions due today will be deemed as timely filed if received tomorrow. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

Today the Federal Circuit announced that access to the National Courts Building Complex will continue to be limited to court staff through February 28. The court did, however, also indicate that requests for building access may be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Here is the text of today’s announcement, which includes a link to the relevant court order.

Late this afternoon the Federal Circuit announced that it has updated its Guide for Oral Argument. These updates include the designation of “Access Coordinators” to facilitate the ability of those who have communication difficulties to participate in the court’s proceedings. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

This afternoon the Federal Circuit announced that it has adopted new procedures for the handling of what it is calling “highly sensitive documents.” The court indicated it is doing so given “recent disclosures of widespread breaches of both private sector and government computer systems.” Notably, the court indicated it will treat these documents “outside of the court’s electronic case filing system.” Moreover, it will adjust not only how it will handle documents filed in the future, but also how it will handle highly sensitive documents that already have been electronically filed both in pending and even closed cases. Here is the text of today’s announcement, which includes links to the related order and modified Electronic Filing Procedures, along with a summary.

Today the Federal Circuit announced modified procedures for nonelectronic filing and submissions for the time period of January 13 through January 20. This time period coincides with preparations for Inaugural Day on January 20. Here is the text of today’s announcement.

Today the Federal Circuit announced that it will be closed on Monday and Wednesday of next week given the observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday and Inauguration Day, respectively. Here is the text of the court’s announcement with a link to the court’s order on point.

The Federal Circuit today published a Notice of Court Closure on December 24, 2020 with a link to the court’s order. Both discuss impact on court deadlines. Here is the text of the Notice.

This morning the Federal Circuit issued a Notice of Emergency Amendment to Federal Circuit Rule 15(f). The court did so as a result of its en banc decision yesterday in National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in which the court held “that Federal Circuit Rule 15(f), establishing a 60-day time limit for bringing section 502 petitions, is invalid.” Section 502 petitions relate to any “action of the Secretary to which section 552(a)(1) or 553 of title 5 (or both) refers.” Those provisions of Title 5, for example, refer to rules and rule making. Here is the text of today’s notice, which includes a link to the relevant order signed by Chief Judge Prost today.

The Federal Circuit released an announcement today concerning two updates. First, the court announced that its Rules of Practice have been updated to reflect amendments to Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 35 and 40. Second, the court announced increases to various miscellaneous court fees. Here is the text of today’s announcement.