Federal Judicial Center Operational Status:

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the Federal Judicial Center (Center) has ceased all non-excepted activities until funding is restored.

The Center will post any changes in operational status on this web page. Please check back for updates.

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Department of Justice

June 22, 1870

The Department of Justice was established in 1870 and immediately took over the financial administration of the judiciary from the Interior Department. In 1888, the Justice Department also relieved the State Department of the duty to issue commissions to federal judges. The Justice Department served as the primary administrative body for the federal judiciary until the creation of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in 1939.

See also: 

The Executive Role in Judicial Administration

View the timeline: The Administration of the Federal Courts