Media

Case Information & eFiling

Use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system to search for Fourth Circuit dockets, documents, briefs, orders, or judgments. Register to receive notice of docket activity in cases of interest. Use the PACER Case Locator to search federal court dockets across the country for a particular party.

Opinions

The court files opinions throughout the day, and sends notice to the case participants and to PACER users who have registered to receive notice for cases of interest. Beginning at 2:30 each day, the court posts its daily opinions on the Internet site, where they are available without charge. Daily email subscriptions and RSS feeds are available for all opinions issued each day or for published opinions only. Opinions from 1996 to date are available in a searchable database.

About the Court

The Fourth Circuit is one of twelve regional appellate courts within the federal judicial system. The court hears appeals from the nine federal district courts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and from federal administrative agencies. The court operates under the Federal and Local Rules of Appellate Procedure, with its work reflected through its docket and opinions. Contact the Clerk at 804-916-2700 for court and case information. Contact the Circuit Executive at 804-916-2184 for information about the Judicial Council, Judicial Conference, or judges.

Oral Argument

The Fourth Circuit hears oral argument in Richmond, Virginia, during September, October, December, January, March, and May, and at other locations as needed throughout the year. The cases to be argued are posted six weeks in advance, though the identity of the panel is not released until the morning of argument. A live audio stream of arguments is available from the Listen link on each page of the calendar. Arguments are digitally recorded, with audio links posted on the Internet site by the next business day. Email subscriptions and RSS feeds are available for the calendar of cases and for audio links.