United States Court Of Appeals For The Third Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:

• District of Delaware
• District of New Jersey
• Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• Middle District of Pennsylvania
• Western District of Pennsylvania

Established on June 16, 1891, the court is located in the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of thirteen United States courts of appeals.

History

The creation of the Third Circuit was part of a larger act passed by Congress in response to the increasing workload in the federal judiciary system. Initially, it covered only Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Over time, its jurisdiction has remained largely unchanged, making it unique among the circuits for not having its boundaries altered significantly since its inception.

Jurisdiction

The court has appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in one of its subsidiary districts. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal cases, as well as appeals from decisions made by federal administrative agencies.

Composition

The court is composed of a number of judges, appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The number of judges can vary, but as of the last update, the court has 14 active judgeships. The court also frequently hears cases en banc, which means that a larger group of judges hears the case, rather than the typical three-judge panel.

Notable Cases

Over the years, the Third Circuit has presided over several notable cases, including issues of free speech, environmental law, and corporate bankruptcy. Its decisions can have a significant impact not only on the litigants involved but also on the interpretation of federal law more broadly.

Chief Judges

The position of chief judge is held by the judge who has served on the court the longest and is under the age of 65. The chief judge has administrative responsibilities over the court's operations and also participates in the judicial process.

External Links

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

See Also

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

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