Court Jurisdiction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is unique among the thirteen circuit courts of appeals.  It has nationwide jurisdiction in a variety of subject areas, including international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, certain monetary claims against the United States government, federal personnel, veterans’ benefits, and public safety officers’ benefits claims.

Appeals to the Federal Circuit come from all federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Federal Circuit also reviews certain administrative agency decisions, including those from the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the Boards of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office Congressional Workplace Rights, the Government Accountability Office Personnel Appeals Board, and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The Federal Circuit does not have jurisdiction over any criminal, bankruptcy, immigration, or state matters. The Federal Circuit also cannot hear appeals from decisions of other U.S. Courts of Appeals; appeals from other U.S. Courts of Appeals should be directed to the U.S. Supreme Court.