Court of Appeals Updates Operations During COVID-19 Crisis

May 22, 2020

On May 21, 2020, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals issued an order addressing court operations through June 30 in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Oral arguments, which were suspended in March, will resume, albeit on a limited basis and by remote video conferencing, beginning the week of May 26. All oral arguments scheduled for the June Regular Calendar will be heard remotely. Participants will receive a link to the videoconference by email, and oral arguments will be livestreamed to YouTube to provide public access.

Appellate mediations will also resume on a remote basis. Mediation staff will notify eligible parties regarding protocols and procedures.

Pursuant to its April 10 order, the court will not administer the July 2020 Bar Exam due to the ongoing public health emergency. Conditions permitting, the court intends to administer the Uniform Bar Examination on September 9-10, 2020. The Committee on Admissions website will provide updates. In the interim, the Office of Admissions will continue to process special legal consultant status and pro hac vice applications.

The order also provides information about filing deadlines, emergency filing procedures, rules for new filings, paper filings, and pro-se filings.

The court will remain closed to the public through June 30. Only judges and court staff will be allowed access.

Read the full text of the order here.