As a precaution given the reported breaches of government computer systems, the court is developing new procedures for handling and storing certain highly sensitive documents.  These procedures will not change current policies regarding public access to court records.  The court will announce the new procedures soon.

The court encourages non-incarcerated pro se litigants to file by emailing a PDF copy of the pleadings to pro_se@ca5.uscourts.gov and recommends these filers request email notice of case activity.  See instructions at http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/docs/default-source/forms/pro-se-filer-instructions.

 
Deadlines remain in effect, except for incarcerated pro se litigants. See General Order 5 COVID-19 issued 06/02/2020.  However, parties need not file paper copies of pleadings or other matters unless instructed to do so by the clerk.

Congress has taken no action on the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate, Bankruptcy, and Civil Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence, adopted by the Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress on April 27, 2020. Under the Rules Enabling Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071-75, rules on the attached memorandum take effect today, December 1, 2020.  Details of the changes can be viewed here:
https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules-practice-procedure

The court has updated its posted rules to include changes effective December 1, 2020.  A link to the updated document is below.