[1] Federal and local jurisdiction in the D.C. remained entangled until 1970, when Congress enacted the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act (84 Stat.

A hearing or rehearing before the court sitting en banc may be ordered by a majority of the judges in regular active service, generally only when consideration by the full court is necessary to maintain uniformity of its decisions, or when the case involves a question of exceptional importance.

Members of the court are empowered to adjudicate the oath of office ceremony for the executive cabinet of the president.

The court also reviews the rules of professional conduct and has established rules governing the admission of members of the District of Columbia Bar and the resolution of complaints concerning the unauthorized practice of law in the District of Columbia.

Despite being the District's local appellate court, judges are appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for 15-year terms.

The Library of Congress issued a legal opinion calling the Department of Justice's determination into question, but Hood remained as chief judge.

[5] Since 1973, the chief judge has been selected by the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission for renewable four-year terms.