§1424c Review of Claims Respecting Land on Guam

Summary

Gives the District Court of Guam the power to review claims by people (or their heirs) whose land interests on Guam were taken by the United States between July 21, 1944, and August 23, 1963, when the compensation issue was decided in a contested trial in that court and the land was acquired other than through judicial condemnation. The court may award extra money if it finds the owner was paid less than fair market value because of duress, unfair influence, other unconscionable actions, or other unfair or inequitable actions by the United States. Land taken through formal condemnation trials that were already decided stay final and cannot be reviewed here. Fair compensation means the extra amount needed to reach fair market value at the time of acquisition. The court may hire special masters or judges to help. Awards become judgments against the United States. Attorney fees paid by a claimant may not exceed 5% of any additional award; higher fee agreements are void, and charging more is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 fine or up to 12 months in jail, or both. All U.S. agencies must provide any requested documents or records that the court needs.