Seals of the Court of Appeals and Superior Court
District of Columbia Courts

Court of Appeals

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.

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.

Opinions and MOJs

Memoranda Orders and Judgments (MOJs) are not published. However, lists of MOJs are posted monthly and go back to September 1999.

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Court of Appeals e-Filing and Cases Online

DC Court of Appeals eFiling enables attorneys and self-represented litigants to view case dockets and submit filings electronically. The system features a publicly available real-time view of the case docket and a simple mechanism to submit filings to the court electronically and free of charge.

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Committee on admissions

The Committee on Admissions reviews all applications for admission to the District of Columbia Bar. The Committee receives more than 3,500 applications per year, conducts extensive character and fitness investigations including informal meetings and formal hearings, and files recommendations with the court regarding applications or petitions.

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committee on unauthorized practice of law

The Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law investigates complaints against persons who are engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. It also monitors motions made by attorneys from other jurisdictions for permission to appear pro hac vice in the District of Columbia Courts.

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Judges

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.