4th Cir. R. 34(c)

The Court sits in Richmond, Virginia, to hear cases during six to eight separate argument weeks

scheduled between September and June. The Court also sits at law schools within the Circuit and at

other special argument sessions. The Court's oral argument schedule is available on the Court's

Internet site, www.ca4.uscourts.gov.

The Court initially hears and decides cases in panels consisting of three judges with the Chief

Judge or most senior active judge presiding. Each panel regularly hears oral argument in four

cases each day during court week; additional cases are added as required.

Attorneys appearing for oral argument must register with the Clerk's Office on the morning of

argument to learn of courtroom assignment, order of appearance, and allocation of oral argument

time. Counsel not already a member of the Fourth Circuit bar will be admitted to practice before

the Court at that time upon compliance with the provisions of Local Rule 46(b).

The Court generally convenes at 9:30 a.m., with the exception of the last day of the session,

when it convenes at 8:30 a.m., and with the exception of en banc oral arguments, which begin at

9:00 a.m. Counsel will receive notification from the Clerk's Office of the starting time for each

panel.

Preparation for the argument calendar begins in the Clerk's Office at least two months prior to

argument. Upon receiving notice that a case has been tentatively assigned to an argument session,

counsel must inform the clerk, within the time provided in the notice, of any conflict or other matter

that would affect scheduling of the case for that session. After a case has been scheduled for

argument, any motion that would affect the argument date must show good cause for the requested

relief and that the relief could not have been requested within the period set by the Court for notice

of conflicts. Continuance of an established oral argument date is not granted because of a prior

professional commitment. Although a case will not be removed from the calendar because of a

scheduling conflict by counsel after the notification of oral argument has been issued, the Court may

direct another lawyer from the same firm to argue the appeal if counsel of record cannot be present.