What Are Legislative Courts?

Constitutional courts have broad judicial powers and judges with lifetime appointments, while legislative courts handle specialized legal areas with judges serving fixed terms as determined by Congress. This system of courts was designed to allow for efficient and accurate court decisions. 

The United States judicial system is a multifaceted web of courts. The Supreme Court stands at the apex of this hierarchy, holding the position of the highest court in the nation. Subordinate to it are the various state and federal courts, each with their own trial and appellate divisions.

Federal courts handle cases involving federal laws and constitutional issues, while state courts address matters related to state laws and disputes. There are two categories of federal courts: Article III courts (Constitutional courts) and Article I courts (legislative courts).

Article III Courts (Constitutional Courts)

Constitutional courts are established under Article III of the Constitution. Article III addresses the judicial branch of the federal government. Judges in these courts have life tenure. This means such judges serve "during good behavior" and cannot have their salaries reduced while in office. Examples of Article III courts include:

Article I Courts (Legislative Courts)

Congress has the power to establish legislative courts under Article I of the Constitution. Judges in these courts are not granted life tenure; instead, statutes dictate the terms and conditions of their service. Examples include:

  • U.S. Tax Court

  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Courts

Constitutional Courts: Pillars of Judicial Power

Constitutional courts serve as the pillars of the judicial branch by ensuring that the laws and actions of government are Constitutional. Through judicial review, these courts have the unique authority to interpret the Constitution. This empowers judges to safeguard Constitutional protections.

Constitutional courts review legislation and actions under the Constitution. They protect citizens' rights and maintain the balance of power among the branches of government. They are crucial in upholding the rule of law, promoting justice, and preserving democratic values.

Constitutional courts set important legal precedents, make decisions that pave the path for lower courts to follow, and protect the integrity of the nation's constitutional framework.

Legislative Courts: Specialized Judicial Bodies

Legislative courts are a special type of court in the United States. They are established by Congressional acts under Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Article I courts are different from Article III courts.

Article III courts, such as the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts, have broad judicial powers and judges who serve for life. Article I courts (legislative courts) fulfill specific judicial functions defined by Congress.

Article I of the Constitution grants Congress the power to legislate. This means it has the power to make laws. Under this authority, Congress has the power to establish courts that assist in the enforcement of laws. These courts are established through legislative acts and are dedicated to administering particular sectors of federal law.

Judges in legislative courts do not have the same protections as those in Article III courts. They do not necessarily serve for life. The statutes that establish their positions give their terms. Congress may adjust their salaries.

In summary, legislative courts are specialized courts established by Congress under Article I to address specific areas of federal law. They differ from Article III courts in their:

  • Scope

  • Terms of service of their judges

  • Constitutional protections

This system allows Congress to ensure efficient handling and expertise in particular legal areas within the federal judiciary.

Types and Functions of Legislative Courts

Legislative courts handle specialized areas of federal law. Some of the legislative courts and their functions include:

  • United States Tax Court: This court handles disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Such disputes generally concern federal income, estate, and gift taxes. Here, taxpayers can contest tax determinations made by the IRS before paying the disputed amount.

  • Territorial Courts: Territorial courts function similarly to local trial courts. These courts exist in places like Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Territorial courts handle both civil and criminal cases within their territories. They operate under the jurisdiction of the United States but address local legal issues.

  • Court of Military Appeals (United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces): This court reviews cases under military law, including court-martial decisions. It ensures that the military justice system adheres to the law and maintains fairness for service members.

  • Court of Federal Claims: The Court of Federal Claims handles claims for money damages against the U.S. government. This includes various cases, from contractual disputes to claims for damages caused by government actions.

  • Court of Veterans Appeals (United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims): This court reviews decisions by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals that involve benefits claims made by veterans. The court ensures that veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law.

  • Bankruptcy Courts: These courts handle bankruptcy cases, which allows individuals or businesses to eliminate their debts under the protection of the bankruptcy court.

Each of these legislative courts serves a specialized function. They help streamline the judicial process by providing expertise in specific areas of law. Additionally, administrative agencies like the Social Security Administration have their own adjudicative bodies to handle disputes related to their specific regulations.

Legislative Courts vs. Constitutional Courts

In the United States, the federal judiciary has two main types of courts: legislative courts and constitutional courts. Understanding the differences between these two types of courts can help you grasp how the American legal system works.

Legislative Courts:

  • Purpose and Jurisdiction: Congress establishes legislative courts under Article I of the Constitution. These courts have focused jurisdiction, meaning they deal with particular areas of law or specific issues.

  • Judges: Legislative court judges do not have lifetime appointments. Instead, they serve for terms set by Congress.

  • Functions: These courts handle cases that require specialized knowledge. Cases that arise from specific federal laws. This specialization helps ensure that cases are handled by judges who are experts in those particular legal areas.

Constitutional Courts:

  • Purpose and Jurisdiction: Article III of the Constitution addresses Constitutional courts. They include the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, such as district courts and circuit courts of appeals. These courts have broad judicial power to answer constitutional questions. They can hear a wide range of cases and controversies.

  • Judges: Constitutional court judges serve lifelong appointments. This protects their independence from the executive and legislative branches of government.

  • Functions: Constitutional courts are the mainstay of the federal judiciary. Federal judges ensure that laws and government actions are in line with the Constitution. These courts serve as a critical check on the powers of the other branches of government. They protect individual rights and liberties.

Special courts manage specific types of disputes. Constitutional courts have broader judicial powers. They play a key role in upholding the principles of the Constitution across a wide range of cases. This structure empowers the judiciary to handle both specialized and general legal matters.

The U.S. judicial system is a multifaceted network that includes both constitutional and legislative courts. This structure enables the judiciary to address issues efficiently and effectively. Together, constitutional and legislative courts uphold the rule of law, protect citizens' rights, and maintain the balance of power within the federal government, making them indispensable to the American legal system.

Was this helpful?

More On the Constitution

Learn about the most important legal document in the United States.

Read more >