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Federal Judiciary Act
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Federal Judiciary Act

United States [1789]
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Quick Summary

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the structure of the U.S. federal court system, as broadly outlined in the Constitution. This act created a three-tiered judiciary: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court, defining the jurisdiction of each. Authored primarily by Senators Oliver Ellsworth and William Paterson, it was signed into law by President George Washington on September 24, 1789. The act also established the office of the Attorney General of the United States. The Supreme Court was composed of a chief justice and five associate justices, with its decisions being final. This foundational act has largely remained intact, though amended over time.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Judiciary Act of 1789
  2. Judiciary Act of 1801

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