United States Court Of Appeals For The Seventh Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (in case citations, 7th Cir.) is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the courts in the following districts:

• Northern District of Illinois
• Central District of Illinois
• Southern District of Illinois
• Northern District of Indiana
• Southern District of Indiana
• Eastern District of Wisconsin
• Western District of Wisconsin

The court is based at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of thirteen United States courts of appeals.

History

The Seventh Circuit was established in 1891 by the Evarts Act. The court has grown in size and scope over the years, reflecting the increasing complexity of federal law and the expansion of the federal judiciary.

Jurisdiction

The court has appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in one of its subsidiary districts. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law. The decisions of this court are binding on the lower courts within its circuit, unless overturned by the United States Supreme Court.

Composition

The court is composed of a chief judge and several circuit judges. The number of judges can vary, but as of the last update, the court has 11 active judgeships. Judges are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. They serve lifetime appointments under Article III of the United States Constitution.

Notable Cases

The Seventh Circuit has presided over several notable cases, including matters of antitrust law, civil rights, and constitutional law. Its decisions have contributed significantly to the development of federal law in the United States.

Procedure

Cases before the Seventh Circuit are typically heard by a panel of three judges, though en banc sessions can be called where all active judges hear a case. This is usually reserved for cases of exceptional importance or to resolve conflicts within the circuit's jurisprudence.

See Also

• United States Court of Appeals
• Federal judiciary of the United States
• List of current United States Circuit Judges

External Links

• Official website of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit