For a case to appear before the Supreme Court, it must land on one of two lists, or dockets: the merits docket or the emergency docket, also known as the “shadow docket.” Each docket contains a set of cases for which the justices can issue rulings. Each docket has its own process for reaching those decisions.
The shadow docket process is a faster route to a decision. Part of its purpose is enabling the high court to quickly resolve administrative-type requests from lower courts, such as extensions of time to file petitions for writs of certiorari (Parties unsatisfied with how a lower court has ruled on their case might ask the Supreme Court to grant a writ of certiorari, which is a request that the Supreme Court officially hear their case).
