Notices & Announcements

Expanded Availability of Oral Argument Live Audio Streaming

As part of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court will begin offering a new live audio streaming program for select oral argument panels starting with the March 2021 court session.  Beginning in the March 2021 court session, one scheduled argument panel will have daily live streaming audio on the Federal Circuit’s new YouTube channel (external).  Beginning in the April 2021 court session, the court anticipates that all oral arguments will be live audio streamed online while the courthouse remains closed to the public. 

For the March 2021 session, Panels B, E, H, K, and N will only be available through the online audio stream. Live audio access for all other scheduled argument panels will continue through the existing telephonic conference process that has been in effect since April 2020.  

Connection information for all panels is posted on the court’s website by 9:00 a.m. (Eastern) on the first day of the month’s session.  Recordings of all arguments continue to be available on the court’s website after the conclusion of arguments each day.  The full notice is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Operating Status for February 18, 2021

Due to inclement weather in the National Capital Region, the Clerk’s Office will be inaccessible for purposes of receiving paper filings, mail and courier deliveries, and night box submissions on Thursday, February 18, 2021.  

For purposes of Federal Circuit Rule 26(a)(3), the deadlines for nonelectronic filings and submissions due on February 18, 2021, will be deemed as timely filed if received on Friday, February 19, 2021.  Electronic filing access and deadlines are unaffected.

The Clerk’s Office will continue to provide public services today by telephone and email. Telework-ready employees should follow their office’s policies.

Operating Status Advisory Concerning the February 2021 Court Session

In the event of inclement weather during the February 2021 court session, all arguing counsel and members of the public are advised that all telephonic hearings will proceed as scheduled regardless of any Office of Personnel Management operating status change impacting the National Capital Region.

Notice Amending Prior Notices Concerning In-Person Filings and Submissions

Consistent with the prior Order Modifying Procedures for Nonelectronic Filing (pdf) (Nov. 2, 2020), the Clerk’s Office is advising that paper filings and submissions are again available in-person through the night drop box on H Street, NW, as well as by couriers, third-party commercial carriers, and members of the public.  While these options remain available, the Clerk’s Office continues to encourage the filing and submission of all paper documents through the U.S. Postal Service to Clerk of Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20439.

Clerk’s Office Operating Status for January 21, 2021

Due to conditions in the vicinity of the National Courts Building in Washington, D.C. that are impacting pedestrian and vehicular access for in-person, courier, or third-party commercial carriers, the Clerk’s Office will be inaccessible for purposes of receiving paper filings, mail and courier deliveries, and night box submissions on Thursday, January 21, 2021.

For purposes of Federal Circuit Rule 26(a)(3), the deadlines for nonelectronic filings and submissions due on January 21 will be deemed as timely filed if received on Friday, January 22, 2021.  Electronic filing access and deadlines, as well as any scheduled hearings, are unaffected.

Consistent with the prior Order Modifying Procedures for Nonelectronic Filing (pdf) (Nov. 2, 2020), the night drop box on H Street, NW will not be accessible during this period.

Notice of Continued Extension of Access Restrictions for the National Courts Building

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims have entered a new joint order extending their prior administrative order of June 26, 2020, concerning access to the National Courts Building complex in Washington, D.C.  Effective immediately, building access will continue to remain limited to court staff through February 28, 2021; however, requests for access will still be handled on a case-by-case basis when submitted in writing at least 24 hours ahead of time.  The full administrative order is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Requests for access relating to Federal Circuit business or spaces within the National Courts Building may be submitted in writing to the Circuit Executive’s Office at FSO_helpdesk@cafc.uscourts.gov.  These restrictions will remain in effect through February 28, 2021, unless modified sooner. 

To review ongoing updates and information about the Federal Circuit’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to the court’s COVID-19 information page.

Notice of Designation of Court Access Coordinators and Update to the Guide for Oral Argument

The Clerk’s Office has updated the Federal Circuit’s Guide for Oral Argument, which can be found under Argument Resources (pdf).  The updated Guide includes minor procedural clarifications and designates new Access Coordinators, pursuant to The Guide for Judiciary Policy, vol. 5 § 255.40 (pdf).  The Access Coordinators are responsible for coordinating auxiliary aids and services to participants in proceedings who have communication disabilities.  The full designation notice and information about accessibility accommodations during court sessions is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Adoption of Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents

In response to recent disclosures of widespread breaches of both private sector and government computer systems, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has adopted new procedures for the handling of highly sensitive documents outside of the court’s electronic case filing system (CM/ECF) as well as for documents already electronically filed in CM/ECF.  The administrative order and new procedures go into effect immediately and are available on the court’s website (pdf). 

The Clerk’s Office has also finalized updates to the court’s Electronic Filing Procedures, which are available on the court’s website (pdf).  Please direct any questions to the Clerk’s Office at 202-275-8000.