US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

28 U.S.C. § 332

Judicial councils of circuits

(a)
(1)
The chief judge of each judicial circuit shall call, at least twice in each year and at such places as he or she may designate, a meeting of the judicial council of the circuit, consisting of the chief judge of the circuit, who shall preside, and an equal number of circuit judges and district judges of the circuit, as such number is determined by majority vote of all such judges of the circuit in regular active service.
(2)
Members of the council shall serve for terms established by a majority vote of all judges of the circuit in regular active service.
(3)
section 371(b) of this title1
1 See References in Text note below.
Except for the chief judge of the circuit, either judges in regular active service or judges retired from regular active service under may serve as members of the council. Service as a member of a judicial council by a judge retired from regular active service under section 371(b) may not be considered for meeting the requirements of section 371(f)(1)(A), (B), or (C).
(4)
No more than one district judge from any one district shall serve simultaneously on the council, unless at least one district judge from each district within the circuit is already serving as a member of the council.
(5)
In the event of the death, resignation, retirement under section 371(a) or 372(a) of this title, or disability of a member of the council, a replacement member shall be designated to serve the remainder of the unexpired term by the chief judge of the circuit.
(6)
Each member of the council shall attend each council meeting unless excused by the chief judge of the circuit.
(b)
The council shall be known as the Judicial Council of the circuit.
(c)
The chief judge shall submit to the council the semiannual reports of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The council shall take such action thereon as may be necessary.
(d)
(1)
Each judicial council shall make all necessary and appropriate orders for the effective and expeditious administration of justice within its circuit. Any general order relating to practice and procedure shall be made or amended only after giving appropriate public notice and an opportunity for comment. Any such order so relating shall take effect upon the date specified by such judicial council. Copies of such orders so relating shall be furnished to the Judicial Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and be made available to the public. Each council is authorized to hold hearings, to take sworn testimony, and to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. Subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be issued by the clerk of the court of appeals, at the direction of the chief judge of the circuit or his designee and under the seal of the court, and shall be served in the manner provided in rule 45(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum issued on behalf of the United States or an officer or agency thereof.
(2)
section 353 of this title All judicial officers and employees of the circuit shall promptly carry into effect all orders of the judicial council. In the case of failure to comply with an order made under this subsection or a subpoena issued under chapter 16 of this title, a judicial council or a special committee appointed under may institute a contempt proceeding in any district court in which the judicial officer or employee of the circuit who fails to comply with the order made under this subsection shall be ordered to show cause before the court why he or she should not be held in contempt of court.
(3)
Unless an impediment to the administration of justice is involved, regular business of the courts need not be referred to the council.
(4)
section 2071 of this titlesection 2072 of this title Each judicial council shall periodically review the rules which are prescribed under by district courts within its circuit for consistency with rules prescribed under . Each council may modify or abrogate any such rule found inconsistent in the course of such a review.
(e)
The judicial council of each circuit may appoint a circuit executive. In appointing a circuit executive, the judicial council shall take into account experience in administrative and executive positions, familiarity with court procedures, and special training. The circuit executive shall exercise such administrative powers and perform such duties as may be delegated to him by the circuit council. The duties delegated to the circuit executive of each circuit may include but need not be limited to:
(1)
Exercising administrative control of all nonjudicial activities of the court of appeals of the circuit in which he is appointed.
(2)
Administering the personnel system of the court of appeals of the circuit.
(3)
Administering the budget of the court of appeals of the circuit.
(4)
Maintaining a modern accounting system.
(5)
Establishing and maintaining property control records and undertaking a space management program.
(6)
Conducting studies relating to the business and administration of the courts within the circuit and preparing appropriate recommendations and reports to the chief judge, the circuit council, and the Judicial Conference.
(7)
Collecting, compiling, and analyzing statistical data with a view to the preparation and presentation of reports based on such data as may be directed by the chief judge, the circuit council, and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(8)
Representing the circuit as its liaison to the courts of the various States in which the circuit is located, the marshal’s office, State and local bar associations, civic groups, news media, and other private and public groups having a reasonable interest in the administration of the circuit.
(9)
Arranging and attending meetings of the judges of the circuit and of the circuit council, including preparing the agenda and serving as secretary in all such meetings.
(10)

All duties delegated to the circuit executive shall be subject to the general supervision of the chief judge of the circuit.

Preparing an annual report to the circuit and to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for the preceding calendar year, including recommendations for more expeditious disposition of the business of the circuit.
(f)
(1)
section 5315 of title 5 Each circuit executive shall be paid at a salary to be established by the Judicial Conference of the United States not to exceed the annual rate of level IV of the Executive Schedule pay rates under .
(2)
The circuit executive shall serve at the pleasure of the judicial council of the circuit.
(3)
The circuit executive may appoint, with the approval of the council, necessary employees in such number as may be approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(4)
The circuit executive and his staff shall be deemed to be officers and employees of the judicial branch of the United States Government within the meaning of subchapter III of chapter 83 (relating to civil service retirement), chapter 87 (relating to Federal employees’ life insurance program), and chapter 89 (relating to Federal employees’ health benefits program) of title 5, United States Code.
(g)
No later than January 31 of each year, each judicial council shall submit a report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the number and nature of orders entered under this section during the preceding calendar year that relate to judicial misconduct or disability.
(h)
(1)
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit may appoint a circuit executive, who shall serve at the pleasure of the court. In appointing a circuit executive, the court shall take into account experience in administrative and executive positions, familiarity with court procedures, and special training. The circuit executive shall exercise such administrative powers and perform such duties as may be delegated by the court. The duties delegated to the circuit executive may include the duties specified in subsection (e) of this section, insofar as such duties are applicable to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
(2)
The circuit executive shall be paid the salary for circuit executives established under subsection (f) of this section.
(3)
The circuit executive may appoint, with the approval of the court, necessary employees in such number as may be approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
(4)
The circuit executive and staff shall be deemed to be officers and employees of the United States within the meaning of the statutes specified in subsection (f)(4).
(5)
section 711 of this title The court may appoint either a circuit executive under this subsection or a clerk under , but not both, or may appoint a combined circuit executive/clerk who shall be paid the salary of a circuit executive.

June 25, 1948, ch. 64662 Stat. 902Pub. L. 88–176, § 377 Stat. 331Pub. L. 91–64784 Stat. 1907Pub. L. 95–598, title II, § 20992 Stat. 2661Pub. L. 96–458, § 2(a)94 Stat. 2035Pub. L. 100–459, title IV, § 407102 Stat. 2213Pub. L. 100–702, title IV, § 403(a)(2)102 Stat. 4651Pub. L. 101–650, title III104 Stat. 5120Pub. L. 102–198, § 1105 Stat. 1623Pub. L. 104–317, title II, § 208110 Stat. 3851Pub. L. 106–518, title II, § 205114 Stat. 2414Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title III, § 306]114 Stat. 2762Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11043(c)116 Stat. 1855(, ; , , ; , , ; , , ; –(d)(1), , , 2036; , , ; , (b), title X, §§ 1018, 1020(a)(1), , , 4670, 4671; , §§ 323, 325(b)(1), title IV, § 403, , , 5121, 5124; , , ; , , ; , title III, § 306, , , 2418; , , , 2762A–85; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 231, § 306Aug. 7, 1939, ch. 501, § 153 Stat. 1223Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 448 (, as added , ).

section 448 of title 28section 292 of this titleThe final sentence of , U.S.C., 1940 ed., excepting from the operation of said section the provisions of existing law as to assignment of district judges outside their districts, was omitted as surplusage, since there is nothing in this section in conflict with providing for such assignments.

section 331 of this titleThe requirement for attendance of circuit judges, unless excused by the chief judge, was included in conformity with a similar provision of .

Changes in phraseology were made.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 371(f) of this titlesection 371(e) of this titlePub. L. 106–398, § 1[[div. A]114 Stat. 1654, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), was redesignated by , title VI, § 654(a)(1)(B)], , , 1654A–165.

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), are set out in the Appendix to this title.

Amendments

Pub. L. 107–273, § 11043(c)(1)section 372(c) of this titlesection 353 of this titlesection 372(c)(4) of this title2002—Subsec. (d)(2). , substituted “chapter 16 of this title” for “” and “” for “”.

Pub. L. 107–273, § 11043(c)(2)Pub. L. 106–553Subsec. (h). , struck out subsec. (h) as added by , which read as follows:

“(h)(1) The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit may appoint a circuit executive, who shall serve at the pleasure of the court. In appointing a circuit executive, the court shall take into account experience in administrative and executive positions, familiarity with court procedures, and special training. The circuit executive shall exercise such administrative powers and perform such duties as may be delegated by the court. The duties delegated to the circuit executive may include but need not be limited to the duties specified in subsection (e) of this section, insofar as they are applicable to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

“(2) The circuit executive shall be paid the salary for circuit executives established under subsection (f) of this section.

“(3) The circuit executive may appoint, with the approval of the court, necessary employees in such number as may be approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

“(4) The circuit executive and staff shall be deemed to be officers and employees of the United States within the meaning of the statutes specified in subsection (f)(4).

section 711 of this title“(5) The court may appoint either a circuit executive under this subsection or a clerk under , but not both, or may appoint a combined circuit executive/clerk who shall be paid the salary of a circuit executive.”

Pub. L. 106–518, § 205(1)2000—Subsec. (a)(3). , added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “Only circuit and district judges in regular active service shall serve as members of the council.”

Pub. L. 106–518, § 205(2)Subsec. (a)(5). , substituted “retirement under section 371(a) or 372(a) of this title,” for “retirement,”.

Pub. L. 106–553Subsec. (h). added subsec. (h) relating to circuit executive for United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, set out second.

Pub. L. 106–518, § 306, added subsec. (h) relating to circuit executive for United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, set out first.

Pub. L. 104–3171996—Subsec. (g). added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 102–1981991—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “such number” for “such member” and “service” for “services”.

Pub. L. 101–650, § 323(a)1990—Subsec. (a)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The chief judge of each judicial circuit shall call, at least twice in each year and at such places as he may designate, a meeting of the judicial council of the circuit, consisting of—

“(A) the chief judge of the circuit, who shall preside;

“(B) that number of circuit judges fixed by majority vote of all such judges in regular active service; and

“(C) that number of district judges of the circuit fixed by majority vote of all circuit judges in regular active service, except that—

“(i) if the number of circuit judges fixed in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is less than six, the number of district judges fixed in accordance with this subparagraph shall be no less than two; and

“(ii) if the number of circuit judges fixed in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is six or more, the number of district judges fixed in accordance with this subparagraph shall be no less than three.”

Pub. L. 101–650, § 323(b)Subsec. (a)(3) to (7). , redesignated pars. (4) to (7) as (3) to (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “The number of circuit and district judges fixed in accordance with paragraphs (1)(B) and (1)(C) of this subsection shall be set by order of the court of appeals for the circuit no less than six months prior to a scheduled meeting of the council so constituted.”

Pub. L. 101–650, § 403section 372(c) of this titlesection 372(c)(4) of this titleSubsec. (d)(2). , inserted at end “In the case of failure to comply with an order made under this subsection or a subpoena issued under , a judicial council or a special committee appointed under may institute a contempt proceeding in any district court in which the judicial officer or employee of the circuit who fails to comply with the order made under this subsection shall be ordered to show cause before the court why he or she should not be held in contempt of court.”

Pub. L. 101–650, § 325(b)(1)section 5315 of title 55 U.S.C. 5316Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “under ” for “()”.

Pub. L. 100–702, § 1020(a)(1)1988—Subsec. (c). , substituted “semiannual” for “semi-annually”.

Pub. L. 100–702, § 403(b)Subsec. (d)(1). , inserted after first sentence “Any general order relating to practice and procedure shall be made or amended only after giving appropriate public notice and an opportunity for comment. Any such order so relating shall take effect upon the date specified by such judicial council. Copies of such orders so relating shall be furnished to the Judicial Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and be made available to the public.”

Pub. L. 100–702, § 403(a)(2)Subsec. (d)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 100–702, § 1018(1)Subsec. (e). , substituted “executive. In appointing a circuit executive, the judicial council shall take into account experience in administrative and executive positions, familiarity with court procedures, and special training.” for “executive from among persons who shall be certified by the Board of Certification.” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 100–702, § 1018(2)Subsec. (f). , designated last four undesignated pars. as pars. (1) to (4), respectively, and struck out former first undesignated par. which related to establishment, functions, and staffing of Board of Certification and setting standards for certification as qualified to be circuit executive.

Pub. L. 100–459 substituted “level IV” for “level V”.

Pub. L. 96–458, § 2(d)(1)1980—, substituted “Judicial councils of circuits” for “Judicial councils” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 96–458, § 2(a)Subsec. (a). , in par. (1) designated existing provisions as introductory provision and in such introductory provision substituted “each judicial circuit” for “each circuit”, substituted “a meeting of the judicial council of the circuit, consisting of—” for “a council of the circuit judges for the circuit, in regular active service, at which he shall preside. Each circuit judge, unless excused by the chief judge, shall attend all sessions of the council.”, and added subpars. (A) to (C) and pars. (2) to (7).

Pub. L. 96–458, § 2(b)Subsec. (c). , substituted “semiannually” for “quarterly”.

Pub. L. 96–458, § 2(c)Subsec. (d). , amended subsec. (d) generally, designating existing provisions as par. (1), inserting “and appropriate” after “all necessary”, substituting “justice within its circuit” for “the business of the courts within its circuit”, striking out “The district judges shall promptly carry into effect all orders of the judicial council.” after “within its circuit.”, inserting provisions relating to the holding of hearings, taking of testimony, the issuance of subpoenas and service thereof under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and adding pars. (2) and (3).

Pub. L. 95–598section 402(b) of Pub. L. 95–598section 101 of Title 111978—Subsec. (d). directed the amendment of subsec. (d) by inserting “and bankruptcy judges” after “The district judges”, which amendment did not become effective pursuant to , as amended, set out as an Effective Date note preceding , Bankruptcy.

Pub. L. 91–6471971— designated existing four paragraphs as subsecs. (a), (b), (c), and (d), respectively, and added subsecs. (e) and (f).

Pub. L. 88–1761963— inserted “regular” before “active service” in first sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–650, title IV, § 407104 Stat. 5124

Pub. L. 101–650“The amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle I (§§ 402–407) of title IV of , amending this section, sections 372, 453, and 2077 of this title, and provisions set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–702section 407 of Pub. L. 100–702section 2071 of this titleAmendment by section 403(a)(2), (b) of effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–458section 7 of Pub. L. 96–458section 331 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .