The federal courts begin to adapt to COVID-19 Thursday, March 19, 2020

Lawfare

In the United States, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus quickly transformed from a looming risk to a paralyzing pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has emphasized the need to engage in “social distancing” and avoid group settings in order to combat the spread of the virus. And every day, the announced restrictions imposed or suggested become more stringent.

Our courts are institutions long set in their ways. They are used to setting the rules and standards—and having others comply. The U.S. Supreme Court, for example, has remained open and has expected counsel to meet the court’s schedule for more than 100 years, through blizzards and times of national emergency and war. But on the morning of March 16, the court took the extraordinary step of canceling the March oral arguments, without offering a clear picture of when or how the cases will be heard.

Read more at: https://www.lawfareblog.com/federal-courts-begin-adapt-covid-19