Legal Definitions - Article I court

An Article I court is a specialized federal court created by the U.S. Congress under its authority granted by Article I of the Constitution. Unlike the more familiar federal courts established under Article III (such as district courts and circuit courts), judges in Article I courts do not have lifetime appointments or guaranteed protection against salary reductions. These courts are designed to handle specific types of cases, often involving disputes between individuals and the federal government, or matters related to Congress's enumerated powers. They function somewhat like administrative agencies, focusing on particular areas of law rather than the broad range of legal disputes handled by Article III courts.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of an Article I court:

• The U.S. Tax Court

  Imagine a small business owner who disagrees with a tax assessment issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Instead of paying the disputed amount and suing for a refund in a traditional federal court, the owner can challenge the IRS's decision directly in the U.S. Tax Court.

  How this illustrates an Article I court: The U.S. Tax Court was established by Congress to provide a specialized forum for resolving disputes between taxpayers and the government. Its judges are appointed for 15-year terms, not for life, and their salaries are not protected in the same way as judges in Article III courts. This court handles a specific type of "public right" – disputes between citizens and the government over tax obligations – and operates under Congress's Article I power to manage federal taxation.

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

  Consider a veteran who believes they were unfairly denied disability benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and wishes to appeal that decision after exhausting administrative remedies.

  How this illustrates an Article I court: The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims reviews decisions made by the Board of Veterans' Appeals regarding veterans' benefits. Its judges are appointed for 15-year terms, which is a characteristic of an Article I court, distinguishing them from Article III judges who serve for life. Congress created this court to provide a dedicated judicial review process for veterans' claims, which fall under the category of "public rights" because they involve disputes between individuals and a federal agency regarding government benefits.