News Post

Chief Justice Authorizes Local Court Closures Ahead of Hurricane Isaias

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah H. Stewart issued an administrative order Thursday, October 8, authorizing presiding circuit judges across the state to close courts and judicial branch offices in their respective circuits as Hurricane Isaias approaches Alabama.

The order follows Governor Kay Ivey’s October 7 proclamation declaring a state of emergency in 40 Alabama counties. The National Weather Service has forecast the potential for strong winds, flooding, and tornadoes beginning Friday, October 9.

The order does not mandate statewide court closures. Instead, presiding circuit judges may determine whether and when closures are necessary based on local conditions. Closures will remain in effect until the presiding circuit judge determines that courts and offices can safely reopen.

Impact on Court Deadlines

Attorneys should also be aware of Rule 5(D) of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, which addresses the computation of deadlines when court clerks’ or registers’ offices are closed due to severe weather or other qualifying circumstances.

Under the rule, if the final day of a prescribed filing period falls on a day when the appropriate clerk’s or register’s office is closed under the circumstances specified in the rule, the deadline is extended to the next routine workday on which that office is open.

Because closure decisions will be made at the local level, attorneys and members of the public are encouraged to monitor announcements from their respective courts for updates on closures and scheduled proceedings.

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