Coronavirus: the US Supreme Court for the first time by telephone and live

Text by: Anne Corpet Follow

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Supreme Court resumed its hearing on Monday, but by telephone. A first in the history of the country's highest court, which has potentially enabled millions of Americans to follow the proceedings live.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Washington,

It was by the usual formula that this extraordinary session of the court was started. Usually debates are only held in the presence of 200 spectators and a handful of journalists who are not allowed to record them.

This Monday, and for the first time in history, the session was held by phone and was virtually open to everyone. The nine wise men, two of whom are over 80, took turns speaking in order of seniority. The opportunity to check in real time that the dean of the institution Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is doing well despite her 87 years.

The day's session was devoted to an online hotel reservation company, Booking.com, which asked to register its name in the trademark register - this was refused because of its too generic name. More thorny debates will take place later and will certainly be followed more, such as that concerning the publication of Donald Trump's tax return.

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• United States
• Coronavirus

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