Background
Sharon M. James appealed from decisions in two cases before the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. She sought fifty million dollars in damages due to purported judicial conflicts regarding her private employment discrimination case. In response to a show cause order, the appellees urged dismissal, while Ms. James objected and argued the appeal should proceed in the Federal Circuit rather than the Third Circuit.
The court’s reasoning
The court explained that its jurisdiction to review decisions of federal district courts is generally limited to appeals arising under patent laws, civil actions on review from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or certain damages claims against the United States not exceeding ten thousand dollars. This appeal falls outside that limited review authority. The court also noted it saw no need to transfer the case under Section sixteen hundred thirty-one of Title twenty-eight of the United States Code because Ms. James already has a pending appeal in the Third Circuit. Additionally, the court clarified that the show cause order was issued by a judge of the court and signed by the Clerk of Court, not issued solely by the Clerk.
What it means going forward
The dismissal confirms that the Federal Circuit cannot serve as a venue for general civil rights or employment discrimination appeals against the government, reinforcing the specialized jurisdictional limits of the court.