US Supreme Court Oral Arguments Length Increase Due to COVID-19

• The average length of Supreme Court oral arguments has increased from an hour to nearly 90 minutes since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is now the most talkative justice, uttering an average of 1,263 words per case.
• Apple's commission rate dispute with developers will continue before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers simultaneously with the Supreme Court case.

The study also highlighted how the average length of argument has expanded in the years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the court conducted its arguments by telephone.

The Supreme Court has seen significant changes in its oral arguments since the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study found that the average length of argument has increased from an hour to nearly 90 minutes, with high-profile cases sometimes stretching closer to three hours. This shift is attributed to the court's decision to conduct arguments by telephone during the pandemic. The study also highlighted the varying speaking times among justices, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson emerging as the most talkative justice, uttering an average of 1,263 words per case, more than double the justices' average.

The Supreme Court's oral arguments are not only a crucial part of its decision-making process but also have significant implications for the legal community. The increased length of these arguments may lead to longer decision-making times, potentially altering the dynamics of high-profile cases. This development is particularly relevant in light of ongoing disputes, such as Apple's commission rate dispute with developers, which will continue before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers simultaneously with the Supreme Court case.

The transformation of Supreme Court arguments has significant implications beyond the courtroom. As Justice Elena Kagan denied Apple's request to pause a lower-court proceeding over its commission rate, it became clear that the court is not immune to the changes brought about by the pandemic. The increased length of oral arguments may also influence the way high-profile cases are handled in the future. Furthermore, the varying speaking times among justices and the potential overhaul of the Supreme Court by Democrats if they regain power in Washington highlight the need for a closer examination of the court's role in shaping American law.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential implications of increased Supreme Court oral argument lengths, which may lead to longer decision-making times and potentially alter the dynamics of high-profile cases.

Source: Original reporting via The New York Times and Bloomberg