Circuit Rule 21-4: Answers to Petitions

No answer to such a petition may be filed unless ordered by the Court. Except in emergency cases, the Court will not grant a petition without a response. (Rev. 12/1/09; Rev. 12/1/16)

Circuit Advisory Committee Note to Rules 21-1 to 21-4

A petition for writ of mandamus, writ of prohibition or other extraordinary relief is processed by the clerk and motions attorneys in the same fashion as a motion. If the panel does not believe that the petition makes a prima facie showing justifying issuance of the writ, it will deny the petition forthwith. That denial is not regarded as a decision on the merits of the claims. In other instances, the panel will direct that an answer and reply may be filed within specified times. The panel may also issue a stay or injunction pending further consideration of the petition. After receipt of the answer and reply, or expiration of the times set therefor, the matter is then forwarded to a new motions panel unless the first panel directs otherwise. The panel may grant or deny the petition or set it for oral argument. If the panel decides to set the petition for argument, it may be calendared before a regular panel of the Court or before the motions panel. (Rev. 7/1/00)

In emergency circumstances, an individual judge may grant temporary relief to permit a motions panel to consider the petition, may decline to act, or may order that an answer be filed. If the judge determines that immediate action on the merits is necessary, the judge will contact the members of the Court currently sitting as a motions panel until two or more judges can consider whether to grant or deny the petition. Except in extreme emergencies, the judges will not grant a petition without calling for an answer to the petition. (Rev. 7/1/00)