District of Columbia Research Guide

Court Structure:

Superior Court of the District of Columbia

The Superior Court deals with local trials matters covering civil, criminal, tax, landlord-tenant, probate, traffic and small claims.

D.C. Court of Appeals

Prior to 1962, The D.C. Court of Appeals was called the Municipal Court of Appeals. It is the court of last resort for the District of Columbia, and its mandate is the review of all final orders and judgments of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The D.C. Court of Appeals also has jurisdiction to review the decisions of administrative agencies, boards, and commissions of the D.C. government.

Federal  Court Structure:

United States Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit

United States District Court, District of Columbia

D.C. Superior Court:

Court Rules

United States District Court for the District of Columbia:

Rules and Forms

United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit:

Rules and Procedures

Locating Court Opinions:

D.C. Attorney General's Opinions

D.C. Superior Court opinions can be found in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, KFD1247.W37. They are also available online through HeinOnline (coverage to 1963), and Lexis.

D.C. Court of Appeals opinions area available on Lexis at D.C. Court of Appeals cases from 1925, and on Westlaw at. They are also available in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, KFD1247.W37. 

Westlaw provides access to the District of Columbia Civil Trial Court Orders.