What are the traditions of the US Supreme Court?

Answer 1

The Court follows a number of traditions adopted in the 18th and 19th century, and continued today to maintain a sense of continuity and decorum, prompting one historian to dub them "the first Court still sitting."

• Chief Justice Melvin Fuller began the tradition of the "conference handshake," a ritual where each justice shakes the hand of every other justice, in the 19th century. The handshake takes place immediately before the justices take the bench in open court or enter the conference room to discuss a case. The purpose of the handshake is to remind the justices that even when they disagree, they are still united for a common purpose.
  
  
• As the justices enter the courtroom, attired in black robes, the Marshal of the Court announces, "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now sitting. God save the United States and this honorable court."
  
  
• Justices are seated in order of seniority, with the Chief Justice at the center of the bench, or head of the conference table, the Senior Associate Justice to his immediate right, and the second most senior justice to his immediate left. The members of the court alternate seating, right to left, until the newest, or Junior, justice is positioned at the Chief Justice's far left.
  
  
• The justices also follow the seniority pattern when speaking and voting.
  
  
• Attorneys arguing at bar receive a white quill pen as a memento of their day before the Court, as was customary in the 18th century.
  
  
• The Court also continues to use an official seal bearing the image of an eagle and a single star to signify one United States Supreme Court. The seal is used to stamp official documents, such as certificates awarded to attorneys newly admitted to practice before the bench.
  
  
• One of the more intriguing traditions is the secret conferences held to discuss cases. The discussions are kept confidential and never mentioned outside the room. No one but the nine justices is allowed into the conference room. If requests are made for reference material or other materials, the Junior justice is responsible for answering the door and receiving the delivery.
  
  
• The Junior justice also serves coffee to the more senior members of the Court until he or she is replaced by a newer member of the Court. Justice Stephen Breyer held this responsibility for a decade.
  
  
• Other, more practical, traditions include beginning a new Term on the first Monday in October (see Related Questions, below); holding two-week sittings, where the Court hears arguments, alternating with two weeks of administrative work, such as writing opinions.