§174. Assignment of judges; decisions

(a) The judicial power of the United States Court of Federal Claims with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding, except congressional reference cases, shall be exercised by a single judge, who may preside alone and hold a regular or special session of court at the same time other sessions are held by other judges.

(b) All decisions of the Court of Federal Claims shall be preserved and open to inspection.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 898 ; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, §105(a), Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 27 ; Pub. L. 102–572, title IX, §902(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4516 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §243 (Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 231, §138, 36 Stat. 1136 ).

This section is based on the first sentence of section 243 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed. The remainder of said section is incorporated in section 175 of this title.

Words "the seat of government" were substituted for "the city of Washington" to conform to similar language respecting the Supreme Court. (See section 2 of this title.)

Words "to be fixed by rule of court" were added to provide greater flexibility in administering the business of the court. For similar provisions covering the district courts, see section 138 of this title.

Word "term" was substituted for "session" for uniformity.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1992-Pub. L. 102–572 substituted "United States Court of Federal Claims" for "United States Claims Court" in subsec. (a) and "Court of Federal Claims" for "Claims Court" in subsec. (b).

1982-Pub. L. 97–164 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to assignment of judges (formerly contained in section 175) for provisions relating to terms of court. See section 173 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–572 effective Oct. 29, 1992, see section 911 of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 171 of this title.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section 402 of Pub. L. 97–164, set out as a note under section 171 of this title.