Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1503 Set-offs
Title 28 › PART IV — JURISDICTION AND VENUE › CHAPTER 91 — UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS › § 1503
Summary
The Court of Federal Claims can hear and decide any claim the U.S. government brings against someone who is suing in that court. In other words, if the government says a plaintiff owes it money or has a counterclaim, that court can issue a judgment.
Full Legal Text
Title 28, §1503
Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The United States Court of Federal Claims shall have jurisdiction to render judgment upon any set-off or demand by the United States against any plaintiff in such court.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 250(2) (Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 231, § 145, 36 Stat. 1136). The second subsection of section 250 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., is incorporated in this section. The proviso, relating to suits for fees due officers of the United States, has been incorporated in section 2501 of this title. Changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1992—Pub. L. 102–572 substituted “United States Court of Federal Claims” for “United States Claims Court”. 1982—Pub. L. 97–164 substituted “United States Claims Court” for “Court of Claims”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1992 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 102–572 effective Oct. 29, 1992, see section 911 of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 171 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1982 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 97–164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section 402 of Pub. L. 97–164, set out as a note under section 171 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
28 U.S.C. § 1503
Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102