US Supreme Court oral arguments lasted 28% longer on average this term under a new round-robin format that advocates say reduced pressure and made the justices less inclined to talk over each other.
The court typically reserves an hour per case, split equally for attorneys from each side to answer questions and hammer out their main arguments. Instead of cutting off discussion when the clock ran out on the advocates, the justices were given an opportunity to ask additional questions.
Attorneys who regularly appear before the court said the new format in place for arguments from October to the end ...