TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 3, 2025

The federal judiciary can continue “paid operations” through Oct. 17 if the government shutdown continues, two weeks longer than initially projected, a judiciary official said Wednesday. According to Bloomberg Law, employees will remain fully paid while working during that period, but if the shutdown extends past Oct. 17, the judiciary will exhaust its remaining funds and limit operations. Federal courts across the U.S. are preparing for slower dockets and reduced administrative work if funding runs out. Court calendars are expected to slow as the Justice Department asks to pause certain civil cases while lawyers are furloughed. Criminal cases, in which defendants have constitutional rights, will be prioritized if funding lapses.