The District of Columbia Court of Appeals was established by Congress as the highest court in the District of Columbia in 1970. The Court is composed of a Chief Judge and eight Associate Judges. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals is the equivalent of a state Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeals is authorized to review all final orders, judgments and specified interlocutory orders of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Additionally, the Court has the power to review decisions of administrative agencies, boards, and commissions of the District of Columbia government. The Court has jurisdiction to answer questions of law certified by federal and state appellate courts. The Court is also authorized by the Congress to review proposed rules of the Superior Court and at the same time to promulgate its own rules.
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has inherent jurisdiction over members of the legal profession. For this purpose, the Court established the District of Columbia Bar and is authorized to approve the rules regarding attorney discipline. The Court has the authority to approve the rules regarding attorney conduct and has established rules governing the admission of members of the District of Columbia Bar and the resolution of complaints concerning the unauthorized practice of law in the District of Columbia.
