Notices & Announcements

Restricting Court Access To The National Courts Building Through October 31, 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 extending their prior administrative order of July 30, 2021, concerning access to the National Courts Building complex in Washington, D.C.  Courthouse access will continue to be 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 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 October 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.

Notice of Revised Protocols For In-Person Argument

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has issued Revised Protocols for In-Person Argument (pdf) that will apply for the September 2021 court sitting and subsequent sittings until further notice.  Based on the Revised Protocols, the court has also updated the Certificate of Compliance (pdf) required ahead of time for all arguing counsel, as well as implemented an additional certification requirement on the day of argument for everyone participating in the argument.  These materials are available on the court’s website. 

The Clerk’s Office will be individually notifying counsel scheduled for September’s session of these new requirements.

Restricting Court Access to the National Courts Building Through August 31, 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 revising the restrictions and rules concerning access to the National Courts Building complex in Washington, D.C., effective July 31, 2021.  Courthouse access will continue to be 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 full administrative order is available on the court’s website (pdf) and modifies the court’s prior May 22, 2021 order (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 August 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.

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

Starting with the September 2021 court sitting, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will resume in-person arguments and has issued necessary protocols that will govern appearances for that sitting and future sittings until further notice.  These Protocols for In-Person Argument (pdf), as well as a new administrative order (pdf) implementing these changes, are available on the court’s website. 

Pursuant to Administrative Order 2021-10 (pdf), the Clerk’s Office gives notice that non-electronic filings and materials may be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service or third-party commercial carriers, or they may be deposited in the night drop box on H Street, N.W.  In-person filings inside the courthouse remain unavailable. See Administrative Order 2021-09 (pdf).