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The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or simply the Federal Circuit, was founded in 1982 to combine similar federal cases to a specialized appellate court. Pursuant to , the Federal Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over: The Federal Circuit is the only judicial circuit that has its jurisdiction based wholly on subject matter rather than geographical location. It hears all appeals from United States district courts arising from non-tort monetary complaints against the federal government under $10,000 (the "Little Tucker Act"). It also hears all appeals from any of the United States district courts where the original action included a complaint arising under the patent laws, but not if the patent claims arose solely as counter-claims by the defendant (Holmes Group, Inc. v. Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc., 2002). Though other appellate courts can now hear patents claims in theory, this has not happened often. The court meets in Washington, D.C., and occupies the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building, the Tayloe House, the former Cosmos Club, and the Dolley Madison House. Pursuant to , all judges of the Federal Circuit are required to reside within 50 miles (80 km) of the District of Columbia while sitting on the court. Current composition of the court As of Kimberly Ann Moore's inauguration on September 8, 2006,•| seat=5| termination=—| }} Pending nominations List of former judges Chief judges Succession of seats The court has twelve seats for active judges, numbered in alphabetical order by their occupant at the time the court was formed, with the sole vacant seat being numbered last. Judges who retire into senior status remain on the bench but leave their seat vacant. That seat is filled by the next circuit judge appointed by the President. See also Notes | |||||||
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