United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. It is one of the thirteen United States courts of appeals and is often considered the second most powerful court in the nation after the Supreme Court of the United States. Created by the Evarts Act in 1893, the court is headquartered at the historic E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, D.C.. Its unique jurisdiction over cases involving federal administrative agencies and the United States federal government has earned it the nickname "the nation's second most important court."

History

The court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1891, commonly known as the Evarts Act, which created the initial circuit courts of appeals. Initially named the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, it was elevated to its current status in 1934. Its jurisdiction was significantly shaped by the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946, which channeled challenges to federal agency actions directly to the appellate level. Throughout the 20th century, the court played a central role in major constitutional and regulatory battles, from the New Deal era to the Watergate scandal. Landmark rulings during the tenure of judges like J. Skelly Wright and David L. Bazelon established its reputation for handling complex questions of federal law and administrative power.

Jurisdiction and role

The court's jurisdiction is primarily defined by its oversight of numerous federal independent agencies headquartered in the capital, including the Federal Communications Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unlike other circuits, a substantial portion of its docket involves direct review of decisions from bodies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. It also hears appeals from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and has original jurisdiction over writs pertaining to actions of federal officials. This concentration on federal regulatory and constitutional law distinguishes it from regional circuits that handle a broader mix of criminal and civil appeals.

Current composition

As authorized by statute, the court currently has eleven active judgeships. The chief judge is Sri Srinivasan, who was appointed by President Barack Obama and previously served as Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States. Other notable active judges include Patricia Millett, also an Obama appointee and former assistant to the Solicitor General, and Neomi Rao, appointed by President Donald Trump and former administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The bench includes judges appointed by presidents from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden, reflecting diverse judicial philosophies. Vacancies are filled through the nomination process involving the President of the United States and confirmation by the United States Senate.

Notable cases

The court has decided many precedent-setting cases that have shaped American law. In United States v. Nixon (1973), a three-judge panel, including then-Judge George MacKinnon, unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon had to surrender the Watergate tapes, a decision swiftly affirmed by the Supreme Court. In Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984), the court's decision led to the Supreme Court establishing the foundational Chevron deference doctrine. Other significant rulings include Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2005), which challenged military commissions established by President George W. Bush, and numerous decisions reviewing actions of the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.

Relationship to the Supreme Court

Due to its specialized docket, the court is often a critical feeder for the Supreme Court of the United States. Four of the current justices—Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson—previously served as judges on this court. Many of its rulings on administrative law and separation of powers present the types of federal questions the Supreme Court frequently agrees to review. The court's decisions are often treated as persuasive authority by other circuits on matters of federal regulatory law, and its judges are regularly considered for elevation to the nation's highest court.

Category:United States courts of appeals Category:1893 establishments in the United States Category:Courts and tribunals in Washington, D.C.