As of January 2, 2025, the Court of Appeals is adopting new temporary rules that will govern the process of (1) requesting oral argument; and (2) scheduling oral argument, which will include hybrid argument where the parties express differing preferences as to the form of argument. The temporary rules will also continue to provide for oral argument for self-represented litigants. The temporary rules replace ORAP 6.05 and provide for a phased-in change in how litigants may request oral argument, and in how the court will schedule oral argument.
As an initial step in the phase-in process, in cases scheduled for submission after January 2, 2025, the parties will receive an opt-in form that permits the parties to specify whether the party prefers to appear remotely or to appear in person. Joint requests are encouraged, although individual requests are permitted. To appear at argument, a party must submit an oral argument appearance request, either individually or jointly. Oral argument, in general, will be scheduled around the parties' expressed preferences. Typically, in-person argument will be scheduled if all parties request in-person argument; remote argument will be scheduled if all parties request remote argument; hybrid argument will be scheduled if one party requests in-person argument and another party requests remote argument.
For more information, please call the Appellate Court Records Section at 503-986-5555.