District of Columbia
Court of Appeals
Appellate E-Filing System
C-Track, the browser based CMS for Appellate Courts
Case Information: 26-OA-0001
Short Caption:IN RE META PLATFORMS, INC., ET AL.Classification:Original Jurisdiction - Original Actions - Mandamus
Superior Court or Agency Case Number:2023-CAB-006550Filed Date:01/08/2026

Opening Event Date:01/08/2026Case Status:Decided/Dismissed
Record Completed:Post-Decision Matter Pending:
Briefs Completed:
Argued/Submitted:04/13/2026
Disposition:Next Scheduled Action:
Mandate Issued:

Party Information
Appellate RoleParty NameIFPAttorney(s)Arguing AttorneyE-Filer
Amicus CuriaeChamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaN
Adam G. UnikowskyNY
Amicus CuriaeNetChoiceN
Adam G. UnikowskyNY
Amicus CuriaeLawyers for Civil JusticeN
Jonathan M. RedgraveNY
Amicus CuriaeNational Association of Criminal Defense LawyersN
Kobie A FlowersNY
PetitionerMeta Platforms, Inc.N
Mark W. MosierYY
John J. DeBoyNY
Timothy C. HesterNY
PetitionerInstagram, LLCN
Mark W. MosierNY
John J. DeBoyNY
Timothy C. HesterNY
RespondentDistrict of ColumbiaN
Caroline Van ZileNY
Jimmy R. RockNY
Ashwin P. PhatakYY
Chris Edward MendezNY

Events
Event DateStatusDescriptionResultPDF
01/08/2026FiledPetition For a Writ of Mandamus ****FILED NPT *****HELD IN ABEYANCE 2/23/26
01/08/2026FiledAppendix to Petition (Petitioners Instagram, LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT
01/12/2026FiledORDER DIRECTING PETITIONERS to tender the $100 filing fee within 10 days... F/O DIRECTING the DISTRICT to file an answer within 20 days...
01/12/2026Filed(Internal - Legal)
01/13/2026FiledMotion To Submit Documents for Ex Parte, In-Camera Review (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPTGranted in Part/Denied in Part
01/14/2026FiledMotion To Seal unopposed motion for leave to file sealed versions of appendix and declaration of John J. Deboy (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPTGranted
01/14/2026WithdrawnSealed Appendix (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.)
01/14/2026FiledDeclaration of John J. Deboy (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT AND *******SEALED
01/20/2026FiledMotion For Extension Of Time to File respond to petitioner's motion for leave to submit documents for ex parte, in -camera review (Respondent)Granted
01/20/2026FiledRule 28(k) Citation Of Supplemental Authority (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT
01/22/2026FiledFiling Fee Paid
01/22/2026FiledMotion for leave to seal appendix (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPTGranted
01/22/2026FiledCORRECTED SEALED Appendix (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT AND *******SEALED
01/26/2026FiledOpposition to Motion to submit documents for ex parte, in camera review (Respondent) ***FILED NPT
01/26/2026FiledMotion For Leave to File brief in support of the petitioner (Amicus Curiae Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America Lawyers for Civil Justice)Granted
01/27/2026FiledMotion for Extension of Time to File Reply in Support of Motion for Leave to Submit Documents for Ex Parte, In-Camera Review (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPTGranted
01/30/2026FiledSealed Response to writ of mandamus (Respondent)
01/30/2026FiledResponse to writ of mandamus (Respondent)
02/02/2026FiledReply in support of motion for leave to submit documents for ex-parte, in camera review (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT
02/02/2026FiledMotion For Leave to File to participate as amicus curiae in support of petitioners and granting the petitioners' writ of mandamus (Amicus Curiae Lawyers for Civil Justice)Granted
02/03/2026FiledMotion For Leave to File reply in support of petition for writ of mandamus (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPTGranted
02/03/2026FiledReply in Support of Petition for Writ of Mandamus (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.) ***FILED NPT
02/09/2026FiledORDER DIRECTING the Clerk to shall file all petitioners' submissions in this matter (other than those requiring leave) NPT to the date of submission... F/O GRANTING PETITONERS' motion to file a sealed appendix and sealed declaration, and motion to file a corrected sealed appendix are granted... F/O GRANTING RESPONDENT'S motion for an extension of time... F/O GRANTING PETITONERS' motion for an extension of time and motion for leave to file a reply... F/O the PETITION and the unresolved motions in this matter REMAIN PENDING
02/09/2026FiledMotion For Leave to File participate as amicus curiae in support of petitioners Brief (Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)Granted
02/12/2026FiledRule 28(k) Citation Of Supplemental Authority (Respondent)
02/12/2026FiledResponse to the Citation of Supplemental Authority (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.)
02/23/2026FiledORDER HOLDING IN ABEYANCE PETITIONER'S motion to file documents for ex parte, in camera review AND DIRECTING PETITIONERS to submit the documents... F/O GRANTING AMICI CURIAE'S motions to participate and the LODGED briefs are filed... F/O HOLDING IN ABEYANCE the petition for a writ of mandamus
02/23/2026FiledBrief (Amici Curiae Chamber of Commerce and NetChoice)
02/23/2026FiledBrief (Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)
02/23/2026FiledBrief (Amicus Curiae Lawyers for Civil Justice)
03/11/2026FiledORDER GRANTING PETITIONER'S motion to file documents for ex parte, in camera review TO THE EXTENT the documents that are the subject of the privilege dispute ARE FILED EX PARTE and UNDER SEAL...
03/23/2026FiledSealed Supplemental Appendix (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.)
03/26/2026FiledMotion to File Sealed Supplemental Appendix (Respondent)Granted
04/02/2026FiledOrdered that this matter is scheduled for argument as a special sitting before the division on April 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The participants are to be present in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals courtroom 1, located at 430 E Street, N.W., on the second floor, at 1:55 p.m. on April 13, 2026.
04/02/2026FiledAppearance of Ashwin P. Phatak (Respondent)
04/02/2026FiledOpposition to Motion to File Sealed Supplemental Appendix (Petitioner Instagram, LLC, Petitioner Meta Platforms, Inc.)
04/07/2026FiledORDER GRANTING RESPONDENT'S motion to file the LODGED sealed supplemental appendix
04/07/2026FiledSupplemental Appendix (Respondent) ***SEALED***
04/13/2026FiledArgued Before Beckwith and McLeese, Associate Judges, and Steadman, Senior Judge (Mark W. Mosier, Esquire) (Ashwin P. Phatak, Esquire)
07/16/2026FiledOrder Denying Petition For Writ Of Mandamus by Opinion