In 1911, Congress compiled the first judicial code, which consisted of all the statutes Congress had passed concerning the federal judiciary that were still in effect. At the same time, Congress abolished the U.S. circuit courts as of January 1, 1912, transferring their jurisdiction to the U.S. district courts. The three-tiered structure of the judiciary, consisting of the U.S. district courts, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States, has remained in place since 1912.

See also:

Landmark Legislation: Abolition of U.S. Circuit Courts