How the federal court system is organized

The federal court system is the judicial branch of the federal government, established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the system provides a peaceful way to decide private disputes that people cannot resolve themselves. The system includes the U.S. Supreme Court, lower courts created by Congress, and specialized courts.

The constitutional role of the courts

The judicial branch operates as one of three separate and distinct branches of government, alongside the legislative and executive branches. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts states that these three branches operate within a constitutional system of checks and balances. This system requires cooperation among the branches, even though each is formally separate.

Congress passes federal laws, and the president signs them. The judicial branch has the authority to decide the constitutionality of those federal laws. It also resolves other cases involving federal laws.

The courts do not have the power to execute their own rulings. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, judges depend upon the executive branch to enforce court decisions.

The Supreme Court and appellate courts

The nation’s top judicial body is the U.S. Supreme Court. It was established by Article III of the Constitution, which also gave Congress the power to create a network of lower federal courts.

Below the Supreme Court sit 13 appellate courts, known as U.S. courts of appeals. The role of these appellate courts is to review whether a federal administrative agency or a trial court used the law properly.

Geographically, the federal courts are divided across the country. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts notes that the federal courts are split into 12 regional circuits and one Federal Circuit.

Trial courts and bankruptcy courts

The federal system contains 94 district or trial courts, referred to as U.S. district courts. These courts settle conflicts by establishing the case facts and applying the law to them.

The system also includes 90 U.S. bankruptcy courts. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, these courts assist individuals and companies unable to cover their obligations in achieving a new financial beginning.

Article I courts

Congress has created several courts under Article I of the Constitution. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts explains that these Article I courts are not part of the Third Branch of government.

The Article I courts include the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. The U.S. Tax Court is also an Article I court.