The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit will continue to operate during any government shutdown caused by a lapse in appropriations. Pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, the court will continue all activities necessary to the exercise of the judiciary’s constitutional functions, including accepting and docketing new appeals; properly and promptly processing all filings, motions, orders, emergency applications, and other court documents; collecting, receipting, and depositing filing fees; noticing and mediating cases that qualify for mediation; appointing Criminal Justice Act counsel for eligible persons; proceeding with scheduled oral arguments; and issuing decisions in cases pending before the court. 

Because the court will remain open for business during any shutdown, case-management deadlines will not be automatically extended. Parties remain obligated to timely comply with the filing requirements of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Tenth Circuit Rules, and to appear for scheduled oral arguments. The court will consider requests for extensions of time, and for continuances, from government lawyers affected by a shutdown.  Please contact the Clerk's Office for additional information.