US Supreme Court to hear arguments on phone. Public can listen in.

Washington, April 13: The US Supreme Court announced on Monday that it would hear arguments by telephone over six days in May. In a major break with tradition, the court said it would for the first time allow live remote access to audio of the arguments in 10 sets of cases due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Among the cases the justices will hear are three about subpoenas from prosecutors and Congress seeking President Donald Trump’s financial records, The New York Times reported. 

“In keeping with public health guidance in response to Covid-19,” a news release from the court said, “the justices and counsel will all participate remotely. The court anticipates providing a live audio feed of these arguments to news media. Details will be shared as they become available.” 

Although the release referred only to access by the news media, a court spokeswoman said the audio feed would also be available to the public.

The court said arguments would be heard on May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13, and it listed the 10 sets of arguments it would hear. But it did not say which cases would be heard when. That would depend, the court said, on “the availability of counsel.”

Other courts have been hearing oral arguments online, with video. The US Supreme Court stopped short of taking that step.