Instructions for In-Person Oral Arguments

Please arrive by no later than 9:15 a.m. on the day of your oral argument and check-in with the Court Receptionist or other designated court staff stationed in the main lobby outside the courtroom on the 12th Floor of the Taft Law Center Building.

Each side in the appeal will get 15 minutes to argue. Appellant may reserve time for rebuttal.

Please see the Court’s ADA policy and Language Access Plan if you require accommodations for oral argument.

Presenting before the judges:

Any party that does not file a brief is not permitted to argue.

Usually, people will start their oral argument before the appellate court with the words “May it please the court.”

Even though the appellate court cannot give you special treatment just because you do not have a lawyer, you should still tell the judges that you are self-represented (pro se).

Remember that the judges will be familiar with your case and will have already read the briefs, so you do not need to restate the facts of the case or repeat parts of the brief. It is more helpful to just highlight what you think is most important in your case or ask the judges if they have any questions you could answer.

The judges may interrupt you (and the other side) to ask questions about your case and authorities (published court decisions, constitutions, statutes, court rules or other legal authorities) that you cited or should have cited. Remember to stay calm and respectful, even if you get frustrated or are interrupted.

Whenever you are asked a question, you should stop what you are saying and answer as directly as possible. If you do not know the answer, then just say so. Also, remember that you cannot present new arguments orally unless you discussed them in your brief

Courtroom Decorum

In order to maintain the dignity and respect of proceedings, the First District Court of Appeals has adopted the following rules of decorum for when court is in session:

• Please turn off or silence your cell phone and other devices.
• Disruptive behavior of any kind may result in your removal from the courtroom. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to, talking or whispering in the gallery, outbursts of any kind, overt gestures, and any behavior which impedes the performance of the Court’s official business.
• Only counsel or self-represented litigants associated with the case being argued may address the Court, unless otherwise directed by a judge.
• If physically capable, rise and stand when the judges enter and leave the courtroom as directed by the Court’s bailiff.
• Follow all instructions by the Presiding Judge or court staff, including but not limited to the Court Deputy, Court Bailiff, Court Marshall, or Court Administrator.
• Be on time or early. Repeated entrances and departures should be avoided and if departures become disruptive, a visitor may be asked to wait for a break in between cases to enter the courtroom.
• Food is not permitted in the courtroom.
• Remove hats before entering the courtroom.
• Public seating is available on the benches in the gallery of the courtroom. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Photographs, audio or video recording, broadcasting and live streaming is prohibited, unless permission is granted by order of the Court. Please note, the Court records and broadcasts arguments on its YouTube page.

**Notice of Court’s Local Rule***

Loc.R. 21(H) During oral argument, no person present in the courtroom shall operate a cellphone or any other electronic device without prior approval of the Court.  Counsel of record may use electronic devices at counsel tables or at the podium provided that the devices are set to silent, and are not used to photograph, record, or broadcast.