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# General and Administrative Orders

**General Order Regarding 2023 Holiday Closings (Posted October 23, 2023)**

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Friday, November 24, 2023.

The full order can be found here.

**Rescinding General Order No. 2022-01: Procedure for Electronic Filing in Pro Se Cases (Posted July 31, 2023)**

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(e) and the July 31, 2023, Notice of Adoption of amendments to the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims (RCFC), it is hereby ORDERED that General Order No. 2022-01 (Sept. 12, 2022), is rescinded effective July 31, 2023.

The full order can be found here.

**Joint Administrative Order Updated National Courts Building Protocols (Posted November 10, 2022)**

Masks are no longer required to enter the National Courts Building.

The full order can be found here.

**General Order Regarding 2022 Holiday Closings (Posted October 31, 2022)**

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Friday, November 25, 2022. Additionally, the Court will close at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2022.

The full order can be found here.

**Updated Order Continuing Suspension of Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases (Posted September 12, 2022)**

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, the United States Court of Federal Claims continues to take steps to limit the number of court personnel who are required to be available to process filings submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, by messenger, or in the court's night box.

The full order can be found here.

**Joint Administrative Order Reopening the National Courts Building (Posted September 9, 2022)**

On September 9, 2022, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order reopening the National Courts Building to the public effective Monday, September 12. Note that N-95, KN-95, or KF-94 masks are still required in public areas.

The full order can be found here.

**New Order requiring N-95, KN-95, or KF-95 Masks in the Building (Posted January 19, 2022)**

On January 18, 2022, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building until further notice and requiring the use of N-95, KN-95, or KF-95 masks in all public areas inside the building.

The full order can be found here.

**General Order Regarding 2021 Holiday Closings (Posted November 09, 2021)**

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Friday, November 26, 2021. Additionally, the Court will close at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Restricting Access to the Courthouse until Further Notice (Posted October 27, 2021)**

On October 26, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building until further notice.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through October 31, 2021 (Posted August 27, 2021)**

On August 27, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through October 31, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Modifying Restricted Access to the Courthouse through August 31, 2021 (Posted July 30, 2021)**

On July 30, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order modifying restricted access to the National Courts Building through August 31, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through August 31, 2021 (Posted June 30, 2021)**

On June 28, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through August 31, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through June 30, 2021 (Posted May 23, 2021)**

On May 22, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through June 30, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through May 31, 2021 (Posted April 27, 2021)**

On April 27, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through May 31, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through April 30, 2021 (Posted March 30, 2021)**

On March 25, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through April 30, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Amended General Order: Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents (Posted March 9, 2021)**

In response to recent disclosures of wide-spread breaches of both private sector and government computer systems, federal courts are immediately adding new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents filed with the courts.  The court finds that pursuant to Rule 5(d)(3)(A) of the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims (RCFC), good cause exists to require all parties to file certain highly sensitive documents outside of the court’s electronic filing system.  Therefore, effective immediately and until further order of the court,

IT IS ORDERED THAT the filing of certain highly sensitive documents shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth below.  This General Order supersedes any and all inconsistent provisions in the RCFC or other general orders of this court.

For more information, please see the Amended General Order.

**Reissued Amended Order Continuing Suspension of Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases (Posted March 3, 2021) **RESCINDED 7/31/2023****

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, the United States Court of Federal Claims continues to take steps to limit the number of court personnel who are required to be available to process filings submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, by messenger, or in the court's night box.

For more information, please see the Amended General Order.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through March 31, 2021 (Posted February 26, 2021)**

On February 26, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through March 31, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through February 28, 2021 (Posted January 15, 2021)**

On January 15, 2021, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through February 28, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Modifying Procedures for Paper Filings (Posted January 13, 2021)**

Due to conditions in the vicinity of the National Courts Building in Washington, D.C. that may impact pedestrian and vehicular access for in-person, courier, or third-party commercial carriers, the court is modifying procedures for paper filings from January 14-21, 2021.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**General Order: Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents (Posted January 12, 2021) **AMENDED 3/9/2021****

In response to recent disclosures of wide-spread breaches of both private sector and government computer systems, federal courts are immediately adding new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents filed with the courts.  The court finds that pursuant to Rule 5(d)(3)(A) of the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims (RCFC), good cause exists to require all parties to file certain highly sensitive documents outside of the court’s electronic filing system.  Therefore, effective immediately and until further order of the court,

IT IS ORDERED THAT the filing of certain highly sensitive documents shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth below.  This General Order supersedes any and all inconsistent provisions in the RCFC or other general orders of this court.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Amended Order Continuing Suspension of Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases (Posted December 23, 2020) **REISSUED 3/3/2021****

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, the United States Court of Federal Claims continues to take steps to limit the number of court personnel who are required to be available to process filings submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, by messenger, or in the court's night box.

For more information, please see the Amended General Order.

**General Order Regarding Holiday Closings (Posted December 7, 2020)**

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Thursday, December 24, 2020, and Thursday, December 31, 2020.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through January 24, 2021 (Posted November 23, 2020)**

On November 20, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through January 24, 2021.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Continuing Suspension of Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases (Posted November 13, 2020) **AMENDED 12/23/2020****

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, the United States Court of Federal Claims continues to take steps to limit the number of court personnel who are required to be available to process filings submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, by messenger, or in the court's night box.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Order Restoring Procedures for Paper Filings (Posted November 13, 2020)**

On November 2, 2020, the court issued an order modifying the procedures for paper filings due to conditions in Washington, D.C. that were anticipated to impact pedestrian and vehicular access to the National Courts Building. These conditions have resolved.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Authorizing the Use of Zoom for Government****(Posted November 10, 2020)**

In accordance with updated guidance from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and considering Zoom for Government has received a FedRAMP Authorization to Operate (ATO), Zoom may now be used at the United States Court of Federal Claims.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Order Modifying Procedures for Paper Filings (Posted November 2, 2020) **RESCINDED 11/13/2020****

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 3, 2020, the process for paper filings is modified until further notice.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through November 22, 2020 (Posted October 19, 2020)**

On October 19, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building through November 22, 2020.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Closing the Court on Friday, November 27, 2020 (Posted October 9, 2020)**

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Friday, November 27, 2020.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse until October 19, 2020 (Posted September 11, 2020)**

On September 11, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building until October 19, 2020.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Extending Restricted Access to the NCB until September 14, 2020 (Posted August 13, 2020)**

On August 13, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order extending restricted access to the National Courts Building until September 14, 2020.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Requiring Face Coverings in the National Courts Building (Posted July 13, 2020)**

On July 13, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order requiring face coverings in the National Courts Building until August 14, 2020.

The full order can be found here.

**Order Restricting Access to the National Courts Building until August 14, 2020 (Posted June 26, 2020)**

On June 26, 2020, the Chief Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a joint administrative order restricting access to the National Courts Building until August 14, 2020.

The full order can be found here.

**Administrative Order re: In-Person Proceedings (Posted June 5, 2020)**

On June 5, 2020, Chief Judge Margaret Sweeney amended the previous Order of May 12, 2020, extending the suspension of in-person proceedings until July 6, 2020.

You can read the full order here.

**Court Closed through Monday, June 8, 2020 (Posted June 5, 2020)**

The National Courts Building will be inaccessible and the United States Court of Federal Claims will therefore be closed through Monday, June 8, 2020. For purposes of computation of time under Rule 6 of the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims (RCFC), Friday, June 5, 2020 and Monday, June 8, 2020 shall be treated in the same manner as a legal holiday. See RCFC 6(a)(6).

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Prohibition on the Use of Zoom with Judiciary Resources (Posted May 21, 2020) **UPDATED 11/10/2020****

In accordance with guidance from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, no federal judiciary resources — including court networks and court-issued laptops and devices — may be utilized for using Zoom.  Information on video conferencing tools available for conducting court proceedings can be provided by the presiding judicial officer.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Administrative Order re: In-Person Proceedings (Posted May 12, 2020) **UPDATED 6/5/2020****

Upon consideration of current circumstances relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and to supplement this court’s Order of March 16, 2020, the court has enacted some additional directives.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Order Suspending Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases (Posted March 18, 2020) **SUPERSEDED 11/13/2020****

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, there is an immediate need for the United States Court of Federal Claims to take steps to limit the number of court personnel who are required to be available to process filings submitted through the U.S. Mail, by messenger, or in the court’s night box. Providing pro se litigants with the ability to submit and be served with filings electronically will reduce the number of court staff required to process paper filings, which will minimize the risk to the health and safety of both court staff and the public conducting business with the court.

For more information, please see the General Order.

**Public Access Restriction (Posted March 16, 2020)**

Based on declared public health emergencies impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region, and ongoing efforts to mitigate community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, there is an immediate need for the United States Court of Federal Claims to restrict public access to the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building. These restrictions will be in place as a temporary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to minimize the risk to the health and safety of both court staff and the public conducting business with the court.

For more information, please see the Administrative Order.

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Howard T. Markey National Courts Building • 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439 • 202-357-6400