CNN: Law permits federal courts affected by hurricane to move

CNN.com - Courts face unique challenges - Sep 9, 2005

On Friday, President Bush signed into law the Federal Judiciary Emergency Special Sessions Act of 2005, which allows federal courts to operate outside their jurisdictions in the event of a disaster.

The law allows a federal appeals court to hold sessions "at any place outside the circuit" if the chief judge or the next highest-ranking person available determines the court cannot operate in its jurisdiction due to "emergency circumstances."

"The court may transact any business at a special session outside the circuit that it might transact at a regular session," according to the law.

The law also applies to U.S. district courts and bankruptcy courts.