Importer Fanuc Robotics America and the U.S. settled a customs case on the importer's robot mechanical units and robot control units. While the robot mechanical units were classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 8479.5.000, dutiable at 2.5%, and the robot control units were classified under subheading 8537.10.90, dutiable at 2.7%, CBP agreed to liquidate the products under subheading 8428.90.00, free of duty; subheading 8515.21.00, free of duty; and 8515.310.00, dutiable at 1.6%. Settlement negotiations in the case proceeded over the past year specifically on two models of robot control units (see 2408260050) (Fanuc Robotics America v. U.S., CIT # 12-00052).

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a notice regarding its oral argument in the lead International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff case, which is set to take place on July 31 at 10 a.m. EDT. The court said the argument will be live streamed on the court's YouTube channel and that public seating for the hearing will be available on a "first-come, first-served basis" for all members of the public and press. The court's gates will open at 8 a.m.; the courtroom doors will open at 8:30 a.m.; admittance will stop at 8:45 a.m. or after all tickets are issued, whichever is earlier; and courtroom doors will close at 10 a.m.

Akin partner Devin Sikes has been appointed by the Federal Circuit Bar Association to serve as co-chair of the group's international trade committee, Akin announced. Sikes will serve a three-year term that runs through June 30, 2028. The committee, which surveys U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Crcuit and Court of International Trade decisions and "makes recommendations" to the association's board on issues to be addressed, is now led by Sikes, Hogan Lovells partner Jonathan Stoel, DOJ attorney Sosun Bae and Polsinelli partner and former International Trade Commission general counsel Dominic Bianchi. The committee's vice-chairs are Matthew Rizzolo of Ropes & Gray and Timothy Bickham of Dentons (US).

The Russian grantor of a blocked U.S.-based trust company is suing the Office of Foreign Assets Control, saying OFAC falsely accused the trust of being used to help a Russian oligarch evade sanctions. Kuncha Kerimova, the grantor, said the trust was designed to share her wealth with her grandchildren and other descendants, not to aid designated Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov.

The Court of International Trade's Pacer.gov system will undergo maintenance on July 13 between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m., the court said. Users looking to log on to CM/ECF or make payments through Pay.gov "may experience intermittent issues" during that time, the court said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on July 9 said it intends to sit in and around Boston as part of its October 2025 session.

The Court of International Trade on June 23 proposed amendments to various of its practice rules and forms following recommendations from the court's Advisory Committee on Rules.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on June 24 appointed a new member to its Advisory Council. Jennifer Wu, a patent attorney and partner at Groombridge Wu, will sit on the council for a three-year term, effective June 30. The Advisory Council reviews, studies and makes recommendations regarding the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice and Internal Operating Procedures of the court. It serves as a "conduit between the public and the court regarding the court's procedural rules," the court said.

Stephen Vaden, current judge on the Court of International Trade, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture. The Senate confirmed Vaden with a 51-44 vote split exactly down party lines. Five senators -- Ted Budd, R-N.C., Jon Ossoff, R-Ga., Thom Tillis R-N.C., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., -- didn't take part in the vote.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will launch a new caption-generation utility for filers May 27, the court announced. The new feature will let parties easily generate "the most up-to-date version of the case caption." It will be found under the Utilities tab on the landing screen after logging into CM/ECF, the court said.