When does the Chief Justice hold conferences with other justices to make decisions?

Answer 1

During the Term (October until late June), the Justices meet twice a week, on Wednesday and Friday, in a soundproof conference room to discuss and vote on current cases. The content of these meetings are completely confidential; however, Justice Blackmun once summarized the conferences in this way: "There are just the nine of us, no more…[W]e can say what we initially believe, only to be proved wrong by the honing effect of conference and agreement and disagreement." Decisions are also kept secret until the day they're formally announced. The only people allowed in the room are the nine justices; if the group requires reference materials or other objects from outside the room, the items are delivered to the door, where they're received by the Junior Justice (the newest member of the court).

According to the Supreme Court Historical Society, conferences are always scheduled for 9:30 or 10:00 am. Five minutes before the conference is to begin, a member of the administrative staff summons the Justices to the room.

First, they exchange a ritual handshake, in which each justices shakes the hand of every other justice. The Chief Justice then sits at the east end of the table, while the Associate Justices are seated in order of seniority.

The Chief Justice opens by summarizing each case, then calling for comments, which are also given in order of seniority.

Once a vote has been taken, the Chief Justice (or most senior Associate Justice, if the Chief is on the minority side) assigns the task of writing the official court opinion. Dissenters may agree amongst themselves whether to write a unified dissent. Any justice may choose to author a concurring or dissenting opinion, even if he or she joins in other justices' opinions.

The Supreme Court also holds holds an annual "long conference" on a pre-determined date in September to decide which cases filed over the summer will be granted certiorari. The decision to grant cert is made under the "rule of four," where a minimum of four justices must agree the case is worthy of the Court's time. The Clerk of Court later schedules oral arguments, which are heard from October through April.

(Although this doesn't sound very glamorous, conferences are the "secret meetings" many people are curious about.)