August 23, 2021 | less than a minute read

A return to in-person hearings in Federal Courts?

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Carrie Meigs

Partner

Get in touch

Carrie Meigs

Partner

As litigators, we have all hoped for a return to in-person hearings and trials and perhaps even dreamed of being able to do so without the necessity of wearing a mask. A review of the policies various Federal courts have enacted in response to COVID shows that the return to "normal" will be variable and perhaps still distant.

Circuit Court COVID Protocols CIRCUIT CURRENT POLICY 1st No in-person oral arguments through at least November. 2nd Vaccination or negative test within preceding 72 hours. In person in August. 3rd No information provided. 4th No in-person oral arguments until at least Oct. 26. 5th Masks required; in person Aug. 30. Individual panels can grant remote hearing. 6th No in-person oral arguments until at least Oct. 18. 7th Vaccination required. In person starting Oct. 4. 8th No in-person oral arguments through at least September. 9th No in-person oral arguments through at least October. 10th Vaccination required. In person starting Sept. 20. 11th Vaccination or negative test within preceding 72 hours. In-person date unclear. Federal Vaccination or negative test within preceding 48 hours. In person Aug. 30. D.C. No in-person oral arguments through at least October.