Announcements - Page 25

June 30, 2020, is the last day of the 2019-2020 Iowa Supreme Court adjudicative term.  During the term, 109 cases were submitted to the court. All of the cases submitted to the court are complete, and the opinions are available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/supreme-court-opinions/ . Oral argument videos, case briefs, attorney names, and the Iowa Court of Appeals decisions from further review cases can be found on the Iowa Judicial Branch website by searching for the case name or number using the site’s search function on the home page at https://www.iowacourts.gov .

Find the Report of the Jumpstart Family Law Trials Task Force, submitted pursuant to the May 22, 2020 order creating this task force, on our Reports page.

https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/reports/

For the second consecutive month, the Iowa Court of Appeals will hold oral arguments using videoconferencing. The court will livestream oral arguments in nine cases between June 22 and June 24.

The Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) and the Iowa Judicial Branch have collaborated on a checklist of COVID-19 protective measures so members of the public and state and county employees can safely return to Iowa’s courthouses. The checklist addresses signage, personal protective equipment, social distancing, and cleaning. Judicial branch officials, county elected officials, and county department heads in each courthouse can use the checklist as a guide as they prepare to resume in-person operations

Today, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a supervisory order stating face-to-face court proceedings will commence July 13, 2020, and jury trials will commence September 14, 2020.  Some counties may begin face-to-face proceedings before July 13 if the county courthouse is open to the public and the court operations in that county meet COVID-19 safety protocols recommended by state court administration.

For the first time in its history, the Iowa Court of Appeals will hold oral arguments using videoconferencing May 21 and 22 in response to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The oral arguments will be livestreamed on the Iowa Court of Appeals YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5YFPOlrqxU1hxqUJaZKHWw.

Chief Justice Christensen signed an order creating the Jumpstart Jury Task Force. The Task Force will make recommendations to the supreme court regarding temporary policies and procedures for jury trials resuming following the COVID-19 postponements.

https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/orders/

The Iowa Supreme Court filed an order today regarding the administration of the July 2020 Iowa Bar Exam.

https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/orders/

The Iowa Supreme Court today issued a supervisory order expressing gratitude for the Iowa COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline and strongly encouraging all Iowa lawyers to provide free or low-cost legal information and services either through the Legal Hotline or other options. The order temporarily changes Iowa Court Rules governing providing free and reduced-cost legal services in Iowa.

Chief Justice Christensen has signed a supervisory order detailing coronavirus/COVID-19 impact on court services.

https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/covid-19-information-and-updates/