United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (in case citations, Fed. Cir. or C.A.F.C.) is one of the 13 United States courts of appeals. It handles special kinds of cases that come from federal laws. These cases include patents, international trade, trademark registrations, government contracts, veterans' benefits, public safety officers' benefits, federal employees' benefits, and other similar matters.

Unlike other courts of appeals, the Federal Circuit does not deal with criminal, bankruptcy, immigration, or U.S. state law cases. It is a special court created to focus on these specific areas of law. The court is based at the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building in Washington, D.C..

The Federal Circuit was created in 1982 with the Federal Courts Improvement Act. This act combined two older courts: the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals and the appellate part of the United States Court of Claims. The judges from these older courts became the judges of the Federal Circuit. Besides the Markey Building, the court also uses nearby buildings such as the Benjamin Ogle Tayloe House, the former Cosmos Club building, and the Cutts-Madison House in Washington, D.C. on Lafayette Square. Sometimes, the court meets in places other than Washington, D.C., and its judges can also help decide cases in other federal courts when needed.

Jurisdiction

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is special because it decides cases based on the type of issue, not where the case comes from. This court listens to certain appeals from many different places, including United States District Courts and some government agencies.

The Federal Circuit has special jobs, like handling cases about patents and international trade. Its decisions about patents are important rules for the whole country. Usually, the court meets in Washington, D.C., but sometimes it travels to other cities to hear cases.

Composition

The Federal Circuit can have up to 12 judges at any time. These judges must live within 50 miles of Washington, D.C., unless they choose senior status, which lets them handle fewer cases. Like other federal judges, they are chosen by the President and approved by the Senate. They serve for life unless they decide to take senior status. Active judges have more help, including law clerks, while senior judges have less.

Composition of the court

As of March 16, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was one of the 13 United States courts of appeals. This court handles special types of cases, mostly about patents and other federal laws. It has judges who come from all over the United States.

List of former judges

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has had many judges serve in the past. These judges helped decide important cases related to laws and rules. Their work shaped how the court operates today.

Chief judges

Chief judges help manage their court and lead any group of judges they work with, unless a Supreme Court justice is also part of that group. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is picked to be chief, this job moves among the judges in the court.

To become a chief judge, a judge must have worked on the court for at least one year, be younger than 65, and not have been a chief judge before. The judge with the most experience among those who qualify becomes the new chief judge. They serve for seven years or until they turn 70, whichever comes first. If no judge qualifies, a younger judge over 65 who has worked on the court for at least a year steps in. If needed, the most experienced judge can also act as chief. Judges can choose to step down from being chief while still keeping their job on the court.

Succession of seats

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has twelve seats for judges who are actively working. These seats are numbered in alphabetical order based on who was sitting there when the court was created, with any empty seat listed last. When a judge retires and takes senior status, they stay on the court but leave their seat empty. The next judge appointed by the President fills that empty seat.