In historic first, US Supreme Court hears cases by teleconference

In historic first, US Supreme Court hears cases by teleconference

The justices over the next two weeks are set to conduct arguments in 10 cases by teleconference. WASHINGTON: In a break from tradition caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the US Supreme Court on Monday for the first time heard arguments in a case by teleconference - a trademark dispute involving popular hotel reservation website Booking.com - and even typically silent Justice Clarence Thomas asked questions.. Emphasizing the unique nature of the proceedings, Thomas, a conservative justice who almost never asks questions during arguments, embraced the new format and queried government lawyer Erica Ross about her arguments on behalf of the US Patent and Trademark Office seeking to prevent Booking.com from trademarking the site's name.. Thomas, as the longest serving justice, asked his questions after Chief Justice John Roberts, his voice echoing on the line, asked his own questions of Ross.. In another first, the court is providing a live audio feed, making these the first arguments that the public can hear live.. Rather than the wide-open questioning exhibited during typical cases in the justices' ornate courtroom, the court has tweaked the format for the teleconference arguments so justices will take turn asking questions in order of seniority.. “¢ The nine