UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
STANDING ORDER
Counsel appointed under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, may
request leave to submit interim vouchers for compensation pursuant to the Guide to
Judiciary Policy, Vol. 7A, Ch. 2, § 230.73, Ch. 3, § 310.60, and Ch. 6, §§ 630.40, 660.40.
As the Guide states, interim payments “are designed to strike a balance between the
interest in relieving court-appointed attorneys of financial hardships in extended and
complex cases, and the practical application of the statutorily imposed responsibility of
the chief judge of the circuit to provide a meaningful review of claims for excess
compensation.” § 230.73(c). Thus, the Guide provides that “[w]here it is necessary and
appropriate in a specific case, the presiding trial judge may arrange for periodic or
interim payments to counsel.” § 230.73; see also § 310.60 (interim payments to service
providers); §§ 630.40, 660.40 (interim payments in death penalty cases).
It is hereby ORDERED that the responsibility for meaningful review of the
request for leave to submit interim vouchers for compensation for matters pending in the
district court rests solely with the presiding district or magistrate judge, and that further
review by the circuit of the request for leave to submit interim vouchers is not necessary.
Review of case budgets submitted pursuant to § 230.26 and § 640 of the Guide,
review of interim vouchers for excess compensation in non-budgeted cases, and review
of final vouchers for excess compensation in all cases pending in the district court, are
conducted by the presiding district or magistrate judge in the first instance, followed by
further review by the Chief Judge of the Third Circuit or his or her designee.
s/ Theodore A. McKee
Theodore A. McKee, Chief Judge
United States Court of Appeals
For the Third Circuit
Dated: August 9, 2016
