court of claims: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Legal / Governmental
Quick answer
What does “court of claims” mean?
A specific court, often the Court of Claims, that has jurisdiction over monetary claims against a government, especially the US federal government.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific court, often the Court of Claims, that has jurisdiction over monetary claims against a government, especially the US federal government.
More broadly, any judicial tribunal or commission established to adjudicate claims, typically of a financial nature, made by individuals or entities against a sovereign state or government body. Historically, it can refer to the US Court of Claims (1855-1982) or its successor, the US Court of Federal Claims.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively American, referring to specific US federal courts. The UK has analogous bodies (e.g., the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for some land claims, or the Crown Proceedings Act for claims against the Crown) but does not use the exact phrase 'Court of Claims' as a proper noun for a major court.
Connotations
In the US, it connotes a specialized, formal avenue for seeking redress from the federal government. In the UK, the phrase would likely be interpreted descriptively rather than as a reference to an established institution.
Frequency
The term is rarely used in everyday British English. Its frequency in American English is low and confined to legal, historical, or governmental discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “court of claims” in a Sentence
[Plaintiff] filed a claim with the Court of Claims.The [Court of Claims] heard the case regarding [subject matter].The [government's liability] was adjudicated by the Court of Claims.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “court of claims” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- The Court of Claims jurisdiction was expanded in 1953.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Only relevant for businesses pursuing contractual claims against the US government.
Academic
Used in legal history, political science, and public administration texts discussing governmental liability.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in US federal litigation and administrative law concerning monetary claims against the United States.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “court of claims”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “court of claims”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “court of claims”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to court of claims something').
- Using lowercase incorrectly when referring to the specific US court (proper noun).
- Assuming it exists in all countries with the same name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a regular court in the sense of being a judicial tribunal, but it has specialized, limited jurisdiction—typically only over monetary claims against the government.
Not in a court by that exact name. The UK has different procedures and tribunals for claims against the Crown, governed by the Crown Proceedings Act 1947.
It was abolished in 1982 by the Federal Courts Improvement Act. Its trial-level functions were transferred to the newly created United States Claims Court (renamed the United States Court of Federal Claims in 1992), and its appellate functions were given to the new United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
It hears claims against the US founded upon the Constitution, federal statutes, executive regulations, or contracts with the government, as well as claims for damages in various specific areas like patent infringement by the government and takings of private property.
A specific court, often the Court of Claims, that has jurisdiction over monetary claims against a government, especially the US federal government.
Court of claims is usually formal / legal / governmental in register.
Court of claims: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːt əv ˈkleɪmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːrt əv ˈkleɪmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take it to the Court of Claims (humorous/informal for making an exaggerated or official-sounding complaint).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a royal COURT where you CLAIM money from the king (government).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE GOVERNMENT IS A DEBTOR (The court is the forum where the citizen, as a creditor, seeks to collect what is owed).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a court of claims?