Operating Status
Court of Appeals
3/1/2023 Order appointing members of the District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission. (PDF)
2/6/2023 Order assigning Associate Judges McLeese and Deahl to replace Senior Judge Ruiz. (PDF)
12/22/2022 PHONE SCAM ALERT! We’ve been made aware of a scam in which someone calls from our Public Office number (202-879-2700), claims to be an FBI agent, and threatens to arrest the recipient of the call. Our Public Office is not the FBI and does not arrest people. Please do not provide personal information to the caller. We're working with law enforcement to resolve. If you're affected, please reach out to your local police department. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
12/15/2022 Order approving the proposed amendments to D.C. Superior Court Rule of Criminal Procedure 5. (PDF)
8/4/2022 Order Regarding District of Columbia Court of Appeals Continuing Operations. (PDF)
7/29/2022 Amended Order M-274-21: Pilot Project- Public Access to Certain Briefs and Orders (Amending November 2021 Order) (PDF)
View redaction information and tips here.
6/22/2022 Order Adopting the Amendments to D.C. App. R. 49. (PDF)
3/8/2022 Effective January 8, 2022, the Committee on Admissions only accepts Pro Hac Vice applications online. Submit Pro Hac Vice applications here. Pro Hac Vice applications are for individuals assisting on a case but not licensed to practice law in D.C. Click here to learn more.
3/13/2020 DC Court of Appeals Operating Status Update in light of the coronavirus emergency
Specifically with respect to e-filing, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the court has suspended the requirement for the filing of paper copies of electronically filed documents. See Electronic Filing and Service (ESF) Procedure 8. See also DCCA Administrative Order 1-18.
We encourage all visitors of the courthouse to take appropriate safety and health precautions and practice personal safety behaviors. Please see the coronavirus page for more information. If you need assistance please call the Public Office: (202) 879-2700.
Congress established the District of Columbia Court of Appeals as the highest court of the District of Columbia in 1970. The court consists of a chief judge and eight associate judges. The court is assisted by the service of retired judges who have been recommended and approved as senior judges.
The DC Court of Appeals is the equivalent of a state supreme court. As the highest court for the District of Columbia, the Court of Appeals is authorized to review all final orders, judgments and specified interlocutory orders of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Court also has jurisdiction to review contested case decisions of administrative agencies, boards, and commissions of the District of Columbia government, as well as to answer questions of law certified by federal and state appellate courts. As authorized by Congress, the Court reviews proposed rules of the Superior Court and promulgates its own rules. Additionally, the Court oversees attorneys who are members of its Bar.
