Marking The Anniversary of The Division of the Fifth Circuit, October 1, 1981
We document the circumstances surrounding the division of the historic Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the creation of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The division of the circuit occurred on October 1, 1981.
October 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the division.
Its 90 year history is noted.
Early attempts at reorganization of the circuits.
Early attempts at reorganization of the circuits.
Early attempts at reorganization of the circuits.
To read the hearings that accompany these bills, Public Law 840 and
Chief Justice Taft’s letter encouraging passage of the Newton bill click
here,
here,
and here.
Early attempts at reorganization of the circuits.
Early attempts at reorganization of the circuits.
The Fifth Circuit Expands
To read the March 1964 and September 1964 Reports of the Judicial Conference of the United States
– click here
and here.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court forms a Commission.
For the Hearings of the Hruska Commission click
here and
here.
Fifth Circuit Judges make statements.
The circuit expands, again.
To read the full text of the Omnibus Judgeship Act of 1978 (PL 95-486) –
click here.
The expanded court meets en banc for the first time.
Effectiveness of a court this size is evaluated.
Judge Ainsworth testifies before the House of Representatives.
To read the full 1980 Hearings on H.R. 7665 Click here.
Excerpt from President Carter upon signing the bill.
To read Public Law 96-452 and President Carter’s full Signing Statement click
here and here.