March 26, 2020
Source: New Jersey Federal Practice Alert
District of New Jersey
In response to the ongoing public health emergency, earlier this morning (March 26, 2020), Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson of the District of New Jersey issued Standing Order 20-05 closing the Newark Vicinage Courthouses (the Martin Luther King and Frank R. Lautenberg U.S. Courthouses) until April 6, 2020, after learning that several federal employees who work in the Courthouses have tested positive for COVID-19. The closure does not affect the Trenton and Camden Vicinages, and the District of New Jersey otherwise remains open for official business (subject to the previous restrictions announced by the Court), and parties may continue to file documents electronically.
A full copy of Standing Order 20-05 is available at the following link:
https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/StandingOrder20-5CourthouseClosure%20.pdf
In addition, the Court posted “Remote (Teleconference/Videoconference) Hearing Guidelines” to be reviewed by attorneys prior to each telephone conference with the Court. A copy of the Guidelines can be found at the following link:
https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/RemoteHearingGuidelines.pdf
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit announced that the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia has been closed until March 30, 2020. However, the Third Circuit Clerk's Office is conducting remote operations during this time and will continue to process all electronic filings.
