Announcements

Amended General Order: Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents

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,

Reissued Amended Order Continuing Suspension of Paper Filing Requirements in Pro Se Cases

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.

President Biden designates Elaine D. Kaplan as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims

On March 2, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. designated Elaine D. Kaplan as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.  

For Chief Judge Kaplan's biography, please click here.

 

Order Extending Restricted Access to the Courthouse through March 31, 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

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.

 

General Order: Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents

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,

Order Modifying Procedures for Paper Filings

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.

 

Urgent Notice: Highly Sensitive Documents May Not Be Filed on CM/ECF

Monday, January 11, 2021

Recent disclosures of widespread cybersecurity breaches of government computer systems have prompted the federal courts to add new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents filed with the courts. Effective January 11, 2021, highly sensitive documents may no longer be filed under seal in the court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Files system.

The full notice can be found here.

Modified Filing Procedures for Highly Sensitive Documents

On January 6, 2021, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts provided notice of a national breach of the CM/ECF system and called upon courts to implement new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents (HSDs). We do not know if the breach impacted the Court of Federal Claims specifically, but the court will post new procedures on its website as quickly as possible for the limited types of documents that meet the definition of HSDs.

The United States Court of Federal Claims Closings

The United States Court of Federal Claims will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2021 in observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in observance of Inauguration Day.  See RCFC 77(c)(1) and RCFC 6(a)(6).

 

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