SCOTUS eases rules on paper filings

Yesterday, in its continuing response to the COVID-19 emergency, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order easing the requirements for paper filings. Under yesterday’s order, “every document filed in a case prior to a ruling on a petition for a writ of certiorari or petition for an extraordinary writ, or a decision to set an appeal for argument, a single paper copy of the document, formatted on 8½ x 11 inch paper, may be filed.” The order goes on to list several categories of documents that “should not be filed in paper form if they are submitted through the Court’s electronic filing system ....” Finally, the order allows parties to “be relieved of the obligation to effect service of paper versions of filings” if they agree to electronic service. To download a copy of the Court’s order, follow this link.

Here are links to prior blog posts about the U.S. Supreme Court’s response to the COVID-19 emergency:

• April 13 press release announcing telephonic oral arguments
• March 19 order extending filing deadlines