Notices & Announcements

Notice of Updated National Courts Building Protocols

Effective November 10, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will no longer require masks to be worn when entering the National Courts Building and connecting buildings.

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

Public Advisory for Federal Circuit’s November Session in Philadelphia

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is sitting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in addition to its regular session in Washington, D.C., as part of its November 2022 session.  The full schedule is available on the court’s website.

Due to space occupancy limitations, attendance for the arguments scheduled at area law schools for November 1st and 2nd will be prioritized in favor of students attending the respective institutions as determined by the staff of the law schools.  The court’s arguments scheduled for November 3rd at the James A. Byrne U.S. District Courthouse in Philadelphia are open to the general public.

The audio of each day’s arguments will be made available on the court’s website after each day’s arguments conclude.

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

Investiture Ceremony for the Hon. Leonard P. Stark

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is holding a formal investiture ceremony for the Honorable Judge Leonard P. Stark on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern). Due to space limitations in the courthouse, the investiture is by invitation only. Live-streamed audio of the ceremony will be provided on the court’s YouTube channel.

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

Notice of Court Closure on November 25, 2022

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will be closed on Friday, November 25, 2022, in addition to the federal holiday of Thursday, November 24, 2022. For purposes of computation of time and motions to enlarge time under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure and Federal Circuit Rule 26, November 25, 2022, will be considered a “legal holiday.” The full order is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Appointment of New Advisory Council Members

Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore has appointed the following new members to the Advisory Council for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: Eldora Ellison, Michelle Klancnik, Roman Martinez, and Sonal Mehta. These appointments are for terms of three years and are effective October 1, 2022. The full announcement is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Operating Status

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is currently operating on normal status.

Notice of Modifications to Court Operations and New Protocols for In-Person Arguments

Effective September 12, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will resume normal operations and reopen the National Courts Building to the public.  Administrative Order 2022-04 and Administrative Order 2022-05 implementing these changes are available on the court’s website.

The court has also issued Revised Protocols for In-Person Arguments that will apply beginning with the October 2022 court sitting.  The Revised Protocols are available on the court’s website.

Notice of Proposed 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 gives notice that it proposes to amend Federal Circuit Rules of Practice 25, 27, 28, 28.1, 30, 31, 32, 33, 33.1, 34, 35, 40, 41, 47.4, and 47.5, and the Practice Notes to Rules 33.1, 38, and 47.7. The proposed amendments are available on the court’s website. If adopted, the amendments would take effect on December 1, 2022.


Public comments must be received by the Clerk of Court on or before October 3, 2022. Comments may be submitted by email or by mail to Proposed Rules Comments 2022, Clerk’s Office, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 717 Madison Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20439.