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'''U.S. courts of appeal''' are intermediate federal appellate courts in the United States.  They are intermediate courts in that they hear appeals from [[U.S. district courts|U.S. federal district courts]] and other federal trial-level courts, but their decisions may, in turn, be appealed to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].   

'''U.S. courts of appeal''' are intermediate federal appellate courts in the United States.  They are intermediate courts in that they hear appeals from [[U.S. district courts|U.S. federal district courts]] and other federal trial-level courts, but their decisions may, in turn, be appealed to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].   

There are twelve geographic circuits (1st through 11th and [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]) and one nationwide circuit specialized by subject matter, the Federal Circuit.<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/courtsofappeals.html United States Courts of Appeals]</ref>

There are twelve geographic circuits (1st through 11th and the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]) and the Federal Circuit, which hears appeals from specific courts, as well as from U.S. district courts that concern certain subject matter.<ref>[http://www.uscourts.gov/courtsofappeals.html United States Courts of Appeals]</ref>

They generally hear cases on small panels, but may elect to hear a case ''en banc'', which is to say, with the entirety of the Circuit's appellate judges.

They generally hear cases on small panels, but may elect to hear a case ''en banc'', which is to say, with the entirety of the Circuit's appellate judges.