Leah Durant

United States Court of Federal Claims

The United States Court of Federal Claims (in case citations, Fed. Cl.) is a United States federal court of national jurisdiction that hears monetary claims against the U.S. government. It is the direct successor to the United States Court of Claims, which was founded in 1855, and is therefore a revised version of one of the oldest federal courts in the country. The courthouse of the Court of Federal Claims is situated in the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building (on Madison Place across from the White House) in Washington, D.C. The court today has nationwide jurisdiction over most suits for monetary claims against the government and sits, without a jury, to determine issues of law and fact. The general jurisdiction of the court is defined in 28 U.S.C. § 1491, and covers, among other subject, claims for just compensation for the taking of private property, refund of federal taxes, military and civilian pay, and damages for breaches of contracts with the government. The court also possesses jurisdiction over claims for patent and copyright infringement against the United States, as well as over certain suits by Indian tribes. Additionally, the court has jurisdiction to hear bid protest and other procurement-related claims.