United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

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Notices & Announcements

Notice of New Federal Circuit Rules and Court Forms

December 1, 2025

The December 1, 2025 amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules go into effect today.  The final version of the Federal Circuit Rules (pdf) is available on the court’s website and will apply to all cases filed or pending on or after December 1, 2025, to the extent practicable.  The court has also adopted changes to Forms 10 and 26 and adopted new Forms 35 and 36.  These forms should be used, as required, for any filings made on or after December 1, 2025.  All updated and existing forms are located on the court’s website.

Notice of Holiday Closures and Schedule Adjustments

November 25, 2025

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

All electronic filing deadlines will remain in effect.  Electronic case filing will remain available through CM/ECF. Nonelectronic filings received after 1:00 p.m. on those days will be treated as timely filed if received by the next business day in accordance with Federal Circuit Rule 26(a)(3). The drop box located in the lobby of the National Courts Building will remain available until 4:00 p.m. on those days.

Pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 26(a)(1), the court will be closed on November 27, November 28, and December 25, 2025, as well as January 1, 2026. The full order is available on the court’s website (pdf).

Resumption of Normal Court Operations

November 13, 2025

With the restoration of federal appropriations for the judiciary, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has resumed normal operations effective immediately, November 13, 2025.  Administrative Orders 2026-01 and 2026-02 are rescinded.  

The Clerk’s Office public intake counter has returned to normal business hours. The Circuit Library is open and all public and support services have resumed, including access for members of the bar and unrepresented filers.  All court operations and services are now available without restriction.

Notice of Adopted Amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice

November 10, 2025

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(b) and Federal Circuit Rule 47(a), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has adopted amendments to Federal Circuit Rules of Practice 15, 25, 25.1, 30, 32, 39, 46, 47.6 and Practice Notes to Rules 25, 39 and 50. The proposed amendments were published for public comment on September 16, 2025.  The court received and reviewed public comments on the proposed amendments, and the court has ordered the adoption of the proposed amendments, as amended, effective December 1, 2025.  These amendments will apply to all cases filed order pending on or after December 1, 2025, to the extent practicable, unless otherwise ordered.  

The court’s website contains the court’s order adopting these amendments, a draft proof copy of the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice, and a summary of the adopted amendments.  

The final version of the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice incorporating these amendments will be available on the court’s website by December 1, 2025.  As part of the implementation of these amendments, the Clerk’s Office will be providing additional information and updates to materials on the court’s website, including court forms, by December 1, 2025. 

The full notice is available on the court’s website.

Notice Regarding Operations During Lapse in Federal Appropriations

October 31, 2025

During the current lapse in federal appropriations, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will remain open for business and will maintain sufficient staffing as necessary to continue to support the court’s constitutional and statutory obligations.

All scheduled arguments will continue to proceed as scheduled.  Likewise, all filing deadlines remain in effect. Jointly filed or unopposed motions for extensions of time for briefs and other deadlines in non-calendared cases will generally be granted for up to sixty days. Electronic case filing will remain available through CM/ECF.

The full order is available on the court’s website.

Modification of Public Counter Hours During the Shutdown

October 29, 2025

Effective November 12, 2025, and until further notice, the Clerk’s Office public intake counter will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily on days when the court is not scheduled to hear cases.  Staff will continue to be available to assist by telephone during regular business hours, and email inboxes will be monitored throughout the day.  Nonelectronic filings and materials may be deposited in the drop box located in the lobby of the National Courts Building until 7:00 p.m. daily.  Electronic filing will remain available.

Circuit Library Services During Lapse in Federal Appropriations

October 20, 2025

Effective October 20, 2025, and until further notice, the Circuit Library is closed, and all public and support services, including services to members of the bar and unrepresented filers, are suspended during the lapse in federal appropriations for the judiciary.  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.

Notice Regarding Operations During Lapse in Federal Appropriations

October 1, 2025

During the current lapse in federal appropriations, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will remain open for business and will maintain sufficient staffing as necessary to continue to support the court’s constitutional and statutory obligations. Absent further order, all scheduled arguments will proceed as scheduled, including all arguments scheduled in Washington, D.C. and the Boston area in October 2025. 

Electronic case filing will remain available through CM/ECF and all filing deadlines will remain in effect. The court will not entertain any motions for extension based solely on a lapse in appropriations.

The full order is available on the court’s website.