Judiciary News
Appellate Court Saves Money by Making Chambers Space Go Farther
Published onDecember 4, 2013
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit had a problem. With four appellate judges in its Philadelphia courthouse approaching senior status, there wasn’t enough room to construct chambers for the new judges who would fill their seats.
Restored Historic Court Records Are Returned to Virgin Islands
Published onNovember 26, 2013
A once-decaying book of court records, dating to before the American Revolution, has been painstakingly repaired and returned to federal court officials in the Virgin Islands.
Four Non-Resident Court Facilities to Close in Cost-Cutting Move
Published onNovember 20, 2013
Four non-resident court facilities are being closed in the final months of 2013, as part of a continuing effort to reduce federal Judiciary expenses.
64 Federal Courts Now Publish Opinions on FDsys
Published onNovember 13, 2013
A project providing free online access to federal court opinions has expanded to include 64 courts. The federal Judiciary and the Government Printing Office partner through the GPO’s Federal Digital System, FDsys, to provide public access to more than 750,000 opinions, many dating back to 2004.
Construction Wraps Up on John Roll Courthouse
Published onNovember 8, 2013
Major construction is complete on the John M. Roll United States Courthouse, and the Yuma, Ariz., building is expected to be open for judicial business in mid-December.
Crossing the Line Saves Two Probation Offices Money and Manpower
Published onNovember 5, 2013
When two chief probation officers in neighboring states crossed district lines, the Judiciary saved money and personnel.
For Federal Courts, Shutdown Caused Broad Disruptions
Published onOctober 25, 2013
The government is running again, but federal district and bankruptcy courts and those who practice in them were shaken, to varying degrees, by the government’s 17-day shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year.
Bankruptcy Filings Drop 12 Percent in Fiscal Year 2013
Published onOctober 24, 2013
Bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for fiscal year 2013—the 12-month period ending September 30, 2013—totaled 1,107,699, down 12 percent from the 1,261,140 bankruptcy cases filed in FY 2012, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
2012 Report Shows More Repeat Bankruptcy Filers
Published onOctober 22, 2013
During calendar year 2012, 1.1 million bankruptcy petitions were filed by individuals with primarily consumer debt. Filers had a median average monthly income of $2,743, most filed under chapter 7, and for more debtors in 2012 this was not the first time they had filed for bankruptcy.
Ninth Circuit Seats First All-Alaskan Appellate Panel
Published onOctober 18, 2013
The luck of the draw produced the first All-Alaskan appellate panel in the Ninth Circuit this month. Senior Circuit Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld of Fairbanks, Circuit Judge Morgan Christen of Anchorage, and Senior District Judge John W. Sedwick, also of Anchorage, (photo left to right) sat as a panel on October 11th to hear oral arguments at the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Court of Appeals Building in Pasadena, California.
31 Court Facilities to be Downsized in First Year of Cost-Cutting Project
Published onOctober 15, 2013
Thirty-one federal court facilities will be downsized or closed in a nationwide program to reduce work space, claiming more than $1.7 million in incentives to release underused offices back to the General Services Administration (GSA).
Update: Judiciary to Operate Through October 18, 2013
Published onOctober 10, 2013
The Judiciary will remain open for business through October 18, 2013. When no funding mechanism was in place on October 1, 2013, the Judiciary projected that fee income and no-year appropriated funds would enable court operations to continue for ten business days.
Shutdown, Holdup for the Courts
Published onOctober 7, 2013
The federal courts may be open during the government shutdown, but it’s far from “business as usual.” According to a Department of Justice memo, U.S. Attorneys across the country have been directed to “curtail or postpone” civil litigation.
Terms Begin for New Conference Committee Chairs
Published onOctober 4, 2013
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has named five new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of four current Conference committee chairs. The new appointments became effective October 1, 2013.
Seminar on Short Trial Program Scheduled for Nevada Federal Court
Published onOctober 2, 2013
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada will hold a CLE seminar on its new short trial pilot program on October 9. The pilot promises an expedited trial —both early and short—in civil cases. Short trial rules (pdf) control the length of the trial, including restrictions on discovery, the use of smaller juries, and time limits for presentation of evidence.