1 Includes original proceedings and bankruptcy appeals not shownseparately.
2 Terminated on the merits after hearing or submission. Beginning 1975,data not comparable with earlier years due to changes in criteria.
3 Prior to 1985, the figure is from filing of complete record to final disposition; beginning 1985, figure is from filing notice of appeal to disposition. For definition of median, see Guide to Tabular Presentation.

Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts,Annual Report of the Director.

http://www.uscourts.gov/publications.html

*Courts of Appeals

The intermediate appellate courts in the federal judicial system are the courts of appeals. Twelve of these courts havejurisdiction over cases from certain geographic areas. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has national jurisdictionover specific types of cases.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the 12 regional courts of appeals are often referred to as circuit courts.That is because early in the nation's history, the judges of the first courts of appeals visited each of the courts in one region in aparticular sequence, traveling by horseback and riding " circuit." These courts of appeals review matters from the district courtsof their geographical regions, the U.S. Tax Court, and from certain federal administrative agencies. A disappointed party in adistrict court usually has the right to have the case reviewed in the court of appeals for the circuit. Appeals court judges areappointed for life by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The First through Eleventh Circuits each include three or more states, as illustrated by a map The U.S. Court of Appeals forthe District of Columbia hears cases arising in the District of Columbia and has appellate jurisdiction assigned by Congress inlegislation concerning many departments of the federal government.

Judges of the Courts of Appeals

As in the district courts, the judges who sit on the courts of appeals are appointed for life by the President with the advice andconsent of the Senate. Each court of appeals consists of six or more judges, depending on the caseload of the courts. Thejudge who has served on the court the longest and who is under 65 years of age is designated as the chief judge, and performsadministrative duties in addition to hearing cases. The chief judge serves for a maximum term of seven years. There are 167judges on the 12 regional courts of appeals.

*affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order isdeclared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.

appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually thecourt of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. Tomake such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appealsis called the appellant.

reverse: When an appellate court sets aside the decision of a lower courtbecause of an error. A reversal is often followed by a remand

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