Guide to Washington DC Courts and Judges

The Washington DC court system is one of the most intricate in the country. Here's a description of how it works.

By James Cahoy

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Understanding Washington DC Courts and Washington DC judges may not seem important for those who don’t live in DC. But most business owners in the U.S. are touched in one way or another by decisions made by the Washington DC courts and judges. Beyond the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court, judges in Washington DC hold nationwide jurisdiction over a variety of court claims.

At the apex is the Supreme Court in Washington DC, which is the court of final appeal for all judicial decisions in the United States. Just below that there is the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Judicial Circuit. In addition, there is U.S. Court of Federal Claims, which hears all claims against the federal government at the trial level. There is also the U.S. Federal District court for the District of Columbia, which is the lower level federal court for the DC area.

In addition, DC is like any other state in that it has its own local court system for non-federal claims. The highest court is the DC Court of Appeals, which is the equivalent of a state supreme court. The superior court in Washington DC is the trial court of general jurisdiction. Beneath that, there is the Washington DC civil court, which has the small claims court in Washington DC under its jurisdiction

You should know:

1.   The Court of Appeals for the federal circuit is the court of nationwide jurisdiction for a variety of subject areas, including: international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, certain money claims against the United States government, federal personnel and veterans' benefits

2.        Local judges in Washington DC who work for the District of Columbia courts are the equivalent of state judges. They don’t handle any federal claims.

3.         The U.S. Court of Federal Claims is a unique court in many ways. It is the only federal court where judges don’t serve life terms. They serve for 15-year terms and are eligible for reappointment. It also has its own bar association.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the different federal courts in Washington DC

Educate yourself on what the different federal courts in Washington DC do.

I recommend: The best way to find information on the jurisdiction of the Washington DC courts is to go the court websites. The Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims all have detailed websites discussing their jurisdiction and how to file with them.

Understand what the Washington DC courts do locally

If you are a resident of DC, or just a visitor, you should understand the jurisdiction of the local courts in Washington DC.

I recommend: The District of Columbia Courts website is very informative as to what the DC Court of Appeals, the superior court in Washington DC and the other local courts do, and how you file claims. In addition, the DC Bar website has good information about what it means to practice in front of judges in Washington DC.

Know the local judges in Washington DC

If you have a case in front of any judge in the DC courts, it pays to know their biography.

I recommend: The Federal Judicial Center publishes an online biographical directory of federal judges that can give you easy information on any judge on a federal bench. There is also information on the local DC court judges for both superior court and magistrate court on Superior Court of DC website.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Remember that DC has its own bar organization, which you are required to be a part of to practice in front of a local DC Court. Federal courts have their own bar requirements.
Remember the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal District is the appeals court for the local DC courts, the federal district court, and the federal U.S. Court of Claims, so you may end up at this court regardless of where you initially file.
Because of the nationwide jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, cases originating from all 50 states often end up there first. Even if you aren't from DC, it pays to know this court, over all other courts in Washington, DC.

The official source of Washington DC Courts and Judges is
the Washington DC Courts and Judges page at Business.com