Notices & Announcements

Notice of Modified Access Restrictions for the National Courts Building Through June 30, 2021

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims have entered a new joint order modifying public access restrictions to the National Courts Building complex in Washington, D.C.  Effective May 24, 2021, courthouse access is now limited to court staff and litigants, witnesses, and any other parties who will be physically present in the courthouse because of their participation in a scheduled hearing that day.  Additional 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 order further provides for health and safety protocols for individuals while in the courthouse.  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 June 30, 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 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 May 31, 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 May 31, 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.

Announcement of Chief Judge Transition at the Federal Circuit

The Honorable Kimberly A. Moore will become Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on May 22, 2021.  She will succeed the Honorable Sharon Prost who has served as Chief Judge since May 31, 2014.  The full announcement is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Public Advisory for Live Audio Feed of Court Sessions

Following last month’s pilot program, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will offer live audio streaming of all arguments on the court’s YouTube channel (external).  Beginning with the April 2021 session, all scheduled arguments will be available through this channel and the court will no longer provide teleconference numbers for public access.  The court anticipates that all oral arguments will be audio streamed online while the courthouse remains closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recordings of all arguments will continue to be available on the court’s website after the conclusion of arguments each day.

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 April 30, 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 April 30, 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.

Limited CM/ECF Availability on Saturday, March 27, 2021

Due to an extended maintenance window for the court’s electronic filing system (CM/ECF), the CM/ECF system will be unavailable on Saturday, March 27, 2021, from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Eastern).  While the system may be available for intermittent accessing of documents, filers should not attempt to file any new documents with the court during this maintenance window.

Circuit Judge Wallach to Assume Senior Status on May 31, 2021

The Honorable Evan J. Wallach has announced he will retire from active service and assume senior status, effective May 31, 2021.

Judge Wallach has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit since November 18, 2011, following his appointment by President Barack Obama and confirmation by the Senate.  Prior to his appointment, Judge Wallach served for sixteen years as a judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade.  Judge Wallach’s full biography is available on the court’s website.

Updated Federal Circuit Rules of Practice

Pursuant to the court’s December 9, 2020 public notice (pdf), an updated edition of the Federal Circuit Rules is now available on the court’s website (pdf). This edition incorporates the emergency amendment to Federal Circuit Rule 15(f).