We recommend that all parties register for the electronic filing and service system. DC Court of Appeals Rule 25(a)(2) requires attorneys to register for the electronic filing and service system.
No, to be eligible for mediation all parties must be represented by counsel. If a matter is deemed appropriate for mediation, pro bono counsel may be appointed.
Yes, you may watch oral arguments at the Historic Courthouse at 430 E Street, NW; Washington, DC, 20001, or live online on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0vcI3ebjJE1g5hNT3UmltA. The court posts links to upcoming and previous oral arguments on our Oral Arguments page
Yes, if the case type is one that is eligible for mediation. The request can be made by contacting the Mediation Program Coordinator at mediation [at] dcappeals.gov.
Yes, the Court of Appeals offers mediation for certain cases, including probate, marital property, child custody, and administrative appeals. Cases that are not eligible for mediation include criminal cases, matters from the juvenile court, cases involving attorney licensing, the unauthorized practice of law, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, adoption, and the guardianship of minors. For more information, see https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/appellate-mediation
Attorneys must efile pleadings at https://efile.dcappeals.gov/login.do. If you do not have an attorney representing you, you may start an appeal at https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/how-to-appeal or file pleadings at efilehelp@dcappeals.gov or in person at the Court of Appeals Public Office in the Historic Courthouse at 430 E Street, NW; Washington, DC. 20001.
Briefs provide information on a case and explain the party's legal arguments. You must format briefs according to the detailed instructions in DC Court of Appeals Rule 32. For example, briefs must be legible so the judges can read them; briefs must include a title page with certain information listed in DC Court of Appeals Rule 28(a); briefs must be in an 8 1/2 by 11 inch page format, double spaced, at least 14-point font, with one-inch margins; briefs have page limits: 50 pages for the principal brief and 20 pages for a reply brief. For details, please see DC Court of Appeals Rule 32. If you want to see an example of a brief, the court posts briefs for selected cases with upcoming oral arguments on our oral arguments page.
You can find opinionts at https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/opinions-memorandum-of-judgments. Memoranda Orders and Judgments (MOJs) are generally not published. However, the court lists online the names and numbers of cases with MOJs at https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/opinions-memorandum-of-judgments.
You may call 202-879-1478 or email the librarians from our website link, "Ask a Librarian," at https://www.dccourts.gov/services/dccourts-libraries#ask
Please contact the Public Office at fileroom@dcappeals.gov or 202-879-2700.