Federal Court Jurisdiction
• The Constitution gave federal courts jurisdiction in
cases that involve United States laws and treaties
with foreign nations.
Federal Courts Jurisdiction
1. Ambassadors and other representatives of foreign gover
2. Two or more states government
3. U.S. Government or one of it offices or agencies
4. Citizens who are resident of different states
5. Citizens who are residents of the same state but claim la
under grants of different states
Special Federal Courts
• Congress has created a series of courts referred to as
“Legislative Courts”
• Legislative courts help Congress exercise its power.
– U.S. Court of Federal Claims
– U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
– U.S. Tax Court
– Territorial Courts
– US Court of Military Appeals
– Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Special Federal Courts
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. Court of International Trade
• U.S. Tax Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
The Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit
• Has national jurisdiction over certain cases, such as
those in which the U.S. government is a defendant
Selection and Qualification
FEDERAL JUDGES
Qualifications
• No specific requirements in the constitution
• Most have prior experience (lower or state courts)
Selection of Federal Judges
• All federal judges are nominated by the President
and approved by the Senate.
– Senatorial Courtesy – Allows Senators from the
President’s party to have a say in the appointment of
judges in their state
– Hold position for life
• As long as they remain in “good standing”