The Rise of the SCOTUS "Shadow Docket"

An increasing amount of the court's consequential business is being conducted through emergency orders in response to lower court rulings, without public argument or signed opinions, argues legal scholar Steve Vladek. Although there are reasons for fast action in some cases, the court's public legitimacy is undermined.

SCOTUS's Stay of Mifepristone Ruling a Win for Abortion Rights, but Shows Dangerous Power of "Shadow Docket"

Important judicial decisions are increasingly made through the procedural rulings the Court makes on lower-court decisions, without extensive briefings, arguments, or publicity. Law professor Steve Vladek explains why this matters, and why Samuel Alito is mad at him.