UNITED STATES CLAIMS COURT

court established by act of Congress of Oct. 1, 1982, to handle cases in which the United States or any of its branches, departments, or agencies is a defendant, such as in legal disputes over contracts with the government. The court assumed the original jurisdiction formerly exercised by the United States Court of Claims, concurrently abolished in 1982. Among the cases handled by this trial court are those arising from supply and construction contracts, those involving compensation for property taken, those arising from claims to back pay or to tax refunds, and those involving alleged government infringement or misinterpretation of private patents, trademarks, copyrights, or licenses. Judgments of the Claims Court are final on both the claimant and the United States, subject to right of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (see United States Court of Appeals).