PART II — THE COURT AND ITS ADMINISTRATION
Rule 12. The Clerk and Deputy Clerks
Appointment and oath
The Justices may appoint a Clerk as provided by law. A duly sworn Deputy Clerk may perform any Clerk duty under the Clerk’s direction, and the Clerk remains responsible for delegated acts.
Core duties
The Clerk must:
receive every submission tendered to the Court;
maintain the operational docket and official case file;
record orders, judgments, mandates, service events, and fee decisions;
promptly provide filed decisions to every originating and reviewing court;
preserve the Court’s seal and affix it when required;
maintain accessible forms, filing guidance, the public calendar, and public register;
administer oaths where authorized; and
perform other ministerial duties imposed by law or Court order.
Ministerial limits
The Clerk may not decide jurisdiction, disputed facts, merits, sanctions, sealing, a contested extension, or any matter reserved to a Justice or the Court.
Written reasons
A rejection, fee-waiver denial, access restriction, or other adverse Clerk action must state a concise reason and identify available review.
Official guidance
Clerk guidance may explain procedure but is not legal advice and cannot alter a Rule or deadline. Only a docketed order binds a party in a case.
Access and impartiality
The Clerk and staff must administer access neutrally, protect restricted information, avoid ex parte merits communication, and disclose a conflict requiring reassignment.