Notices & Announcements

Operating Status for January 20, 2025

For Monday, January 20, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is closed in observance of the federal holiday, pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26(a)(6). Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

Operating Status for January 7, 2025

Due to inclement weather, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will be closed to the public on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.  However, arguments for Panel C will be held in person and begin at 10:00 a.m.; counsel can begin checking in at 9:00 a.m. Arguments for Panel D will be conducted by remote videoconferencing and will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Clerk’s Office staff will be notifying counsel and reaching out to panel members with additional instructions.

Electronic case filing remains available through CM/ECF, and electronic filing deadlines remain in effect. Paper filings due on January 6 and 7, 2025, will be deemed as timely filed if received by the next day the court is open to the public.

Telework-ready staff should be prepared to begin teleworking at their normal start times.  Unscheduled leave is authorized as approved by supervisors. 

Court Closed on January 9, 2025

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in observance of the National Day of Mourning for James “Jimmy” Earl Carter, Jr. Arguments scheduled for January 9, 2025, will be rescheduled.  Counsel in affected cases will be notified by the Clerk’s Office.

For purposes of computation of time and motions to enlarge time under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26 and Federal Circuit Rule 26, January 9, 2025, will be considered a “legal holiday.” Our offices will reopen on Friday, January 10, 2025.

The full order is available on the court’s website.

Notice of New Federal Circuit Rules, Court Forms, Guide, and Fee Schedule

The December 1, 2024 amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules go into effect today.  The final version of the Federal Circuit Rules (pdf) is available on the court’s website and will apply to all cases filed or pending on or after December 1, 2024, to the extent practicable.  The court has also adopted changes to Form 33. This form should be used, as required, for any filings made on or after December 1, 2024.  All updated and existing forms are located on the court’s website.

As part of the implementation of these amendments, the Clerk’s Office has issued updates to the Guide for Unrepresented Parties (pdf), Internal Operating Procedures (pdf), and the Petitions for Rehearing and Petitions for Hearing and Rehearing En Banc Information Sheet (pdf).

[Updated December 4, 2024 to reflect updates to the Internal Operating Procedures]

Nationwide Notices of Docket Activity Scam

Please be advised there has been nationwide reporting of fake CM/ECF Notices of Electronic Filing (NEFs) and Notices of Docket Activity (NDAs) being sent to attorneys and law firms.  These fake NEFs/NDAs are phishing attempts designed to trick recipients into replying to the email and directing them to a malicious website.  Users should validate cases and case documentation only through CM/ECF, and never download any attachments or click any links from unofficial or questionable sources.  If you have any questions concerning the authenticity of any communications that claim to be from this court, please contact us at 202-275-8000.

Notice of Adopted Amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(b) and Federal Circuit Rule 47(a), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has adopted amendments to Federal Circuit Rules of Practice 21, 27, 30, 32, 35, and 40; Practice Notes to Rules 15, 28, 30, 35 and 40; and Federal Circuit Attorney Discipline Rules Introduction and Rule 5. The court received and reviewed public comments on the proposed amendments, and the court has ordered the adoption of the proposed amendments, as amended, effective December 1, 2024.

The court’s website contains the court’s order adopting these amendments, a draft proof copy of the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice, and a summary of the adopted amendments.

The final version of the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice incorporating these amendments will be available on the court’s website by December 1, 2024.  As part of the implementation of these amendments, the Clerk’s Office will be providing additional information and updates to materials on the court’s website, including court forms, by December 1, 2024.

The full notice is available on the court’s website.

Federal Circuit Schedules February 2025 Session for Central North Carolina

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is pleased to announce that it intends to sit in and around Central North Carolina as part of its February 2025 session.  The Federal Circuit will concurrently hold its regular session in Washington, D.C.  Counsel scheduled for the February 2025 session in either location will be notified by the Clerk’s Office later this year. The full notice is available here (pdf).

Court Access Beginning October 28, 2024

Beginning Monday, October 28, 2024, security fencing will be installed around the National Courts Building and surrounding area. Access to the courthouse will only be available on H Street, N.W.

Please allow for additional time to pass through perimeter screening, in addition to the standard public entrance screening.