Thursday, January 6, 2022

Omicron v. Circuits

The Recorder has More Federal Courts Abandon In-Person Operations Amid Omicron Spike. Here's Where, which lists the following federal appellate info:

  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: The court announced last week it is switching to holding oral arguments for January by Zoom.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: The court moved to remote arguments on Tuesday and will resume in-person proceedings “as soon as circumstances permit,” according to an announcement on the court’s website.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit: The court’s only arguments scheduled for this month from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28 will be held remotely on Zoom, the court said Tuesday.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: The John Minor Wisdom Courthouse in New Orleans was closed to the public beginning Jan. 3 until further notice. Individual panels will decide whether oral arguments are heard in person or remotely. Attorneys who appear in-person must wear masks regardless of vaccination status, except when presenting an argument.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Oral arguments through January will be held telephonically or by video. Court-unit supervisors have been advised to use telework when appropriate.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit: Arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 to Jan. 14 will be held over Microsoft Teams instead of in person, according to an announcement on the court’s website.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: In-person oral arguments were suspended for January and the hearings will proceed remotely.
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: The court was the first federal appeals court to announce a switch to remote oral arguments for its January session in response to the spike in COVID-19 cases.