# United States Court of Federal Claims *Federal trial court that hears monetary claims against the United States government* The United States Court of Federal Claims (cited as Fed. Cl. or C.F.C.) is a federal trial court that hears monetary claims against the United States government.[^1] Congress created it by statute in 1982 under the name United States Claims Court, and the present name dates from 1992.[^1] Its lineage runs to the trial division of the United States Court of Claims, a body created in 1855.[^1] The court sits in Washington, D.C., in the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building on Madison Place, opposite the White House.[^1] For the convenience of the parties, cases may also be heard in other parts of the country.[^1] ## History ### Court of Claims (1855–1982) Congress created the United States Court of Claims in 1855 to decide private claims against the federal government. President [[Franklin Pierce]] signed the act on February 24 of that year.[^2] The court's name, size, jurisdiction and procedures have since changed. In each form, the federal government has been the defendant and citizens have sued it for money.[^2] The court has been called the "keeper of the nation's conscience" and "the People's Court".[^2] The 1855 court had no power to enter final judgments.[^2] Congress supplied that power in 1866. It acted after President [[Abraham Lincoln]]'s 1861 Annual Message to Congress, which stated: "It is as much the duty of Government to render prompt justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to administer the same, between private individuals."[^2] The Tucker Act of 1887 extended the court's jurisdiction to all claims against the government other than tort, equity and admiralty claims.[^2] Under 28 U.S.C. § 1491, its general jurisdiction covers four kinds of claim: just compensation for takings of private property, federal tax refunds, military and civilian pay and allowances, and damages for breach of government contracts.[^2] The court decides questions of law and fact without a jury.[^2] ## Jurisdiction Congress established the court under its authority in Article One of the United States Constitution.[^3] Under 28 U.S.C. § 1491, the court hears money-damages claims founded on the Constitution, federal statutes, executive regulations, or express or implied-in-fact contracts with the federal government. The Tucker Act is the principal basis for these claims.[^3] For claims below $10,000, 28 U.S.C. § 1346 gives U.S. district courts concurrent jurisdiction.[^3] A claim must be brought within six years of first accruing.[^3] In government contract disputes, the contractor elects its forum. It may sue before the agency Board of Contract Appeals within 90 days, or in the court within one year, but it may not sue in both.[^3] The 90-day Board deadline is statutory and cannot be extended. If the Government challenges a Board filing as untimely, the contractor may still file in the court within the one-year period to protect its claims.[^3] District courts are generally confined to disputes within their geographic district. This court's jurisdiction extends to disputes anywhere in the country, and its judges may conduct trials in local courthouses close to where a dispute arose.[^3] Every trial before the court is a bench trial.[^3] ## Judges Judges of Article III courts have life tenure, but judges of this court do not. Each serves a 15-year term and may be reappointed.[^4] The President appoints them, subject to the Senate's advice and consent.[^4] The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit may remove a judge for "incompetency, misconduct, neglect of duty, engaging in the practice of law, or physical or mental disability."[^4] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *United States Court of Federal Claims* (revision 1381356804, retrieved 2026-10-26) — establishes the court's citation forms, its 1982 statutory origin as the United States Claims Court, the 1992 renaming, its succession to the Court of Claims trial division established in 1855, and its courthouse location. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Federal_Claims [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *United States Court of Federal Claims*, History section (revision 1381356804, retrieved 2026-10-26) — establishes the February 24, 1855 enactment signed by President Franklin Pierce, the 1866 final-judgment legislation, the text of the 1861 Lincoln message, the 1887 Tucker Act expansion, and the § 1491 general jurisdiction categories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Federal_Claims [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *United States Court of Federal Claims*, Jurisdiction section (revision 1381356804, retrieved 2026-10-26) — establishes the Article One basis, the 28 U.S.C. § 1491 and § 1346 provisions, the six-year limitations period, the contract forum election and the timeliness rule, nationwide jurisdiction, and bench trials. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Federal_Claims [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *United States Court of Federal Claims*, Judges section (revision 1381356804, retrieved 2026-10-26) — establishes the 15-year terms, reappointment eligibility, presidential appointment with Senate advice and consent, and the Federal Circuit removal standard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Federal_Claims