Civil Nature of Suit Code Descriptions

Revision History
Version Date Changes Author
2.1 October 2020 Revision history was not previously included. Prepared by a Civil
Nature of Suit Code
Descriptions Working
Group
3.0 December 2024 Nature of Suit code 370 title was changed from Other EDO (formerly JDAO)
Fraud (Excluded any property that is not real property) to
Other Fraud (Includes any property that is not real
property).
3.1 June 2025 Revision history added for reference. EDO (formerly JDAO)
3.2 June 2026 Changes to the Prisoner Litigation Nature of Suit Code EDO
Descriptions

Support is available from the Enterprise Data Office of the Administrative Office by contacting the EDO Info Desk
at JDA_Info@[Link], or by calling 202-502-1440.
Civil Nature of Suit Code Descriptions
(Rev. 06/26)

Contract
Code Title Description
Action alleging breach of insurance contract, tort claim, or other
110 Insurance cause related to an insurance contract, except for maritime
insurance.

120 Marine Action (Admiralty or Maritime) based on service, employment,

insurance, or other contracts relating to maritime vessels and other
maritime contractual matters.

130 Miller Act Action based on performance and payment bonds agreed to by
contractors on federal construction projects as required under the
Miller Act, 40 U.S.C. § 3131-3134.

140 Negotiable Instrument Action relating to an agreement to pay a specific amount of money,
including promissory notes, loan agreements and checks.

150 Recovery of Overpayment & Enforcement Action to recover debt owed to the United States, including
Judgment enforcement of judgments, based on overpayments and restitution
agreements involving matters other than Medicare benefits, student
loans and veterans’ benefits.

151 Medicare Act Action relating to Medicare payments, including actions for
payments of benefits, to recover overpayments, and for judicial
review of administrative decisions.

152 Recovery of Defaulted Student Loans Action to recover debt owed to the United States from defaulted
(Excludes Veterans) student loan.

153 Recovery of Overpayment of Veterans’ Action relating to payments of veterans’ benefits, primarily including
Benefits actions to recover overpayments.

160 Stockholders’ Suits Action brought by stockholder(s) of a corporation (including both

stockholder derivative suits and direct actions based on plaintiff’s
rights as a stockholder), usually alleging claims based on contract
and/or tort law and/or fiduciary obligations.

190 Other Contract Action primarily based on rights and obligations under a contract not
classifiable elsewhere under the specific natures of suit under
“Contract.”

195 Contract Product Liability Action concerning damages caused by a defective product, not
Actions primarily alleging personal injury or primarily involving personal injury or property damage, and based
property damage caused by a defective primarily on breach of contract, breach of warranty,
product should be classified under the misrepresentation, and/or violation of consumer protection laws.
appropriate nature of suit code under
“TORTS.”
196 Franchise Action arising from a dispute over a franchise agreement, typically
alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, or unfair trade
practices.

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Real Property
Code Title Description
210 Land Condemnation Action by a governmental entity to take privately-owned real
property (land or buildings) for public use of compensation.

220 Foreclosure Action to enjoin foreclosure on real property by mortgage lender.

230 Rent Lease & Ejectment Action for rental or lease payments owed on real property and/or to
eject a party occupying real property illegally.

240 Torts to Land Action alleging trespass to land, nuisance, contamination, or other
unlawful entry on or interference with real property possessed by
another.

245 Tort Product Liability Action alleging harm by an unsafe product based on negligence,
breach or warranty, misrepresentation, and strict tort liability.

290 All Other Real Property Action primarily based on unlawful conduct relating to real property
that cannot be classified under any other nature of suit.

Torts/Personal Injury
Code Title Description
310 Airplane Action alleging personal injury or wrongful death from an air crash or
(Excludes airplane product liability claims) other occurrence involving an airplane.

315 Airplane Product Liability Action alleging personal injury or death from an air crash or other
occurrence involving an airplane and caused by a defective product.

320 Assault, Libel & Slander Action alleging intentional acts of assault, libel, trade libel or slander
(Excludes a government employee) by a private party.

330 Federal Employers’ Liability Action for personal injury or wrongful death brought by a railroad
employee or his survivors under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act
(FELA), 45 U.S.C. § 51, et. seq.

340 Marine Action (Admiralty and Maritime) alleging personal injury or death
(Excludes marine product liability claims) from an accident involving a water vessel or harbor/dock facilities,
including suits brought under the Jones Act and the Limitation of
Liability Act.

345 Marine Product Liability Action (Admiralty and Maritime) alleging personal injury or wrongful
death from an accident involving a water vessel or harbor/dock
facilities and caused by a defective product.

350 Motor Vehicle Action alleging personal injury or wrongful death from negligence
involving a motor vehicle but not caused by a defective product.

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Torts/Personal Injury (continued)

Code Title Description
355 Motor Vehicle Product Liability Action alleging personal injury or wrongful death involving a motor
vehicle and caused by a defective product.

360 Other Personal Injury Action primarily based on personal injury or death caused by
negligence or intentional misconduct, including suits brought against
the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act, and which
cannot be classified under any other nature of suit.

362 Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice Action alleging personal injury or wrongful death caused by
negligence in medical care provided by a doctor or other health care
professional.

365 Personal Injury – Product Liability Action alleging personal injury or death resulting from a defective
(Excludes a marine or airplane product) product.

367 Health Care/Pharmaceutical Personal Injury Action alleging personal injury or death caused by a defective
Product Liability medical or pharmaceutical product.

368 Asbestos Personal Injury Product Liability Action alleging personal injury or death caused by exposure to
asbestos products.

Personal Property
Code Title Description
370 Other Fraud Action primarily based on fraud relating to personal property that
(Includes any property that is not real cannot be classified under any other nature of suit.
property)
371 Truth in Lending Action alleging violation of the federal Truth in Lending Act arising
Actions relating to fraud or misrepresentation from consumer loan transactions involving personal property
in the transfer of real property should be including automobile loans and revolving credit accounts.
classified under nature of suit 290, “All other
Real Property,” or, if foreclosure is involved,
under nature of suit 220, “Foreclosure.”
380 Other Personal Property Damage Action primarily based on damage to personal property caused by
harmful conduct such as negligence, misrepresentation, interference
with business relationships or unfair trade practices.

385 Property Damage Product Liability Action alleging damage to personal property caused by a defective
product.

Civil Rights
Code Title Description
440 Civil Rights (non-prisoner) Action alleging a civil rights violation other than the specific civil
rights categories listed below and not classifiable under any other
nature of suit category under Prisoner and Detainee Petitions (NOS
500-series codes).

441 Voting Action filed under Civil Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. § 10101, and Voting
Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. § 10301.

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Civil Rights (continued)

Code Title Description
442 Employment Action filed under Age Discrimination in Employment Act
29:621:634, Equal Employment Opportunity Act (Title VII) 42:2000E,
Performance Rating Act of 1950 5:4303.

443 Housing/Accommodations Action filed under the Fair Housing Act (Title VII), 42 U.S.C. § 3601 &
3602.

445 Americans With Disabilities – Employment Action of discrimination against an employee with disabilities of any
type in the workplace, filed under 42 U.S.C. § 12117.

446 Americans With Disabilities – Other Action of discrimination against an individual with disabilities in
areas other than employment, filed under 42 U.S.C. § 12133
(exclusion or discrimination in provision of services, programs, or
activities of a public entity) or 42 U.S.C. § 12188 (public
accommodations).

448 Education Action filed under the individuals with Disabilities Educations Act, 20
U.S.C. § 1401 and Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, 20
U.S.C. § 1681 et. seq.

Prisoner Petitions/Habeas Corpus

Code Title Description
463 Alien (Immigration) Detainee Immigration habeas petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. All cases filed
with this nature of suit code are restricted to case participants and
public terminals. Petition is filed by an alien detainee.

510 Motions to Vacate Sentence Action by a prisoner to vacate or modify a sentence imposed in
federal court, other than a death sentence, under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.

530 General (Excludes death sentence) Action under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 or § 2254 challenging the legality of
confinement or punishment by a person currently in custody. Action
may be filed by a federal or state prisoner, pretrial detainee, or civilly
committed person. Examples: Illegalities that occurred in trial (such
as ineffective assistance of counsel); sentencing (including fines and
restitution orders); disciplinary proceedings in prison (such as loss of
good time credits); involuntary commitment to a non-criminal
inpatient medical or other facility pursuant to a court order under
state or federal law.

535 Death Penalty Action by a federal or state prisoner challenging a capital conviction
or sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (state prisoner) or § 2255
(federal prisoner). Includes a claim that a prisoner has become
incompetent while awaiting execution.

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Civil Nature of Suit Code Descriptions
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Prisoner Petitions/Other
Code Title Description
540 Mandamus & Other Action by a prisoner or detainee currently in custody seeking
mandamus relief to compel a judge, a government official, or an
agency to perform a duty owed to the plaintiff. This also includes an
action by a prisoner or detainee currently in custody that is not
classifiable under any other nature of suit category under Prisoner
and Detainee Petitions (NOS 500-series codes). Example: Action by a
prisoner to recover property taken by the government in a criminal
case.

550 Civil Rights Action by, or on behalf of, a current or former arrestee, detainee, or
prisoner alleging a civil rights violation in the plaintiff's arrest and
prosecution. Examples: Excessive force incident to arrest, false
arrest, and malicious prosecution. This also includes an action by a
prisoner under a capital sentence for a stay of execution to pursue a
federal civil rights claim. Examples: A violation of federal civil rights
with respect to the method or procedure of execution; the
conditions under which an execution will occur; or proceedings
related to clemency.

555 Prison Condition Action by, or on behalf of, a current or former arrestee, detainee, or
prisoner alleging a claim under federal or state law with respect to
prison or the plaintiff’s confinement. Examples: Inadequate medical
care, excessive force by prison guards, and retaliation by prison
officials.

560 Civil Detainee – Conditions of Confinement Action by, or on behalf of, an individual who is involuntarily
(Excludes actions by alien detainees) committed to a non-criminal inpatient medical or other facility
pursuant to a court order under state or federal law, alleging
unlawful conditions of confinement while in the facility. Examples:
An action by a former prisoner classified as a Sexually Dangerous
Person or Sexually Violent Predator alleging civil rights violations
during detention in a medical facility.

Forfeiture/Penalty
Code Title Description
625 Drug Related Seizure of Property 21 U.S.C. § Action (Forfeiture) by which property itself is accused of wrongdoing
881 and is forfeited to the government as a result.

690 Other Action primarily based on Acts or Bills that cannot be classified under
any other nature of suit, such as: Endangered Species Act, Federal
Hazardous Substance Act 15:1261, Game & Wildlife Act 15:256C et.
seq. (Penalty), Federal Trade Commission Act 15:41-51 (Penalty),
Federal Coal Mine Health & Safety Act 30:801 et. seq. (Penalty), Load
Line Act 46:85-85G, McGuire Bill (Federal Fair Trade) 15:45L Penalty,
Marihuana Tax Act 50 Stat. 551, Motorboat Act 46:526-526T,
National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act penalty 46:1655,
Veterans’ Benefit Act, Title 38 Penalty.

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Civil Nature of Suit Code Descriptions
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Labor
Code Title Description
710 Fair Labor Standards Act (Non-Union) Action relating to non-union workplace related disputes filed under
the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 including but not
limited to wage discrimination, paid leave, minimum wage and
overtime pay.

720 Labor/Management Relations (Union) Action relating to disputes between labor unions and employers as
well as all petitions regarding actions of the Nation Labor Relations
Board (NLRB).

740 Railway Labor Act Action relating to disputes filed under the Railway Labor Act, 45
U.S.C. § 151 including labor disputes, individual claims, and response
to sanctions.

751 Family and Medical Leave Act Action filed under the Family Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2601.

790 Other Labor Litigation Action primarily based on labor disputes not addressed by other NOS
codes (includes Labor/Management Reporting and Disclosure Act).

791 Employee Retirement Income Security Act Action filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29
U.S.C. § 1132 by individuals and labor organizations.

Immigration
Code Title Description
462 Naturalization Application Action seeking review of denial of an application for naturalization [8
U.S.C. § 1447(b)] or alleging failure to make a determination
regarding an application for naturalization [8 U.S.C. § 1421(c)].

465 Other Immigration Actions Action (Immigration-related) that do not involve Naturalization
Applications or petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus, such as
complaints alleging failure to adjudicate an application to adjust
immigration status to permanent resident.

Bankruptcy
Code Title Description
422 Appeal 28 U.S.C. § 158 All appeals of previous bankruptcy decisions filed under 28 U.S.C. §
158.

423 Withdrawal of Reference 28 U.S.C. § 157 Action held in bankruptcy court requesting withdrawal under the
provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 157.

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Intellectual Property Rights

Code Title Description
820 Copyright Action filed in support or to dispute a copyright claim.

830 Patent Action filed in support or to dispute a patent claim.

835 Patent – Abbreviated New Drug Application Action filed in support or to dispute a patent claim involving an
(ANDA) Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). These case are also
known as “Hatch-Waxman” cases.

840 Trademark Action filed in support or to dispute a trademark claim.

880 Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA) Action filed in support or to dispute a trade secret misappropriation.

Social Security
Code Title Description
861 HIA (1395ff) Action filed with regard to social security benefits associated with
Health Insurance Part A Medicare.

862 Black Lung (923) Action filed with regard to social security benefits provided for those
who contracted Black Lung or their beneficiaries.

863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) Action filed with regard to social security benefits provided to
disabled individuals: worker or child, or widow.

864 SSID Title XVI Action filed with regard to social security benefits provided to
Supplemental Security Income Disability under Title XVI.

865 RSI (405(g)) Action filed with regard to social security benefits provided for
Retirement, Survivor Insurance under 42 U.S.C. § 405.

Federal Tax Suits

Code Title Description
870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff or Defendant) Action filed under the Internal Revenue Code (General).

871 IRS-Third Party 26 U.S.C. 7609 Action filed under the Internal Revenue Code – Tax Reform Act of
1976 (P.L. 94-455) Third Party.

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Civil Nature of Suit Code Descriptions
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Other Statutes
Code Title Description
375 False Claims Act Action filed by U.S. Government, or private individuals alleging fraud
against the U.S. Government under 31 U.S.C. § 3729.

376 Qui Tam (31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)) Action brought under the False Claims Act by private persons (also
known as “whistleblowers”) on their own behalf and on behalf of the
United States to recover damages against another person or entity
that acted fraudulently in receiving payments or property from, or
avoiding debts owed to, the United States Government, 31 U.S.C. §
3730.

400 State Reapportionment Action filed under the Reapportionment Act of 1929 Ch. 28, 46 Stat.
21, 2 U.S.C. § 2a.

410 Antitrust Action brought under the Clayton Act 15 U.S.C. § 12 – 27 alleging
undue restriction of trade and commerce by designated methods
that limit free competition in the marketplace amongst consumers
such as anti-competitive price discrimination, corporate mergers,
interlocking directorates or tying and exclusive dealing contracts.

430 Banks and Banking Action filed under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act 12:1421-1449,
Home Owners Loan Act 12:1461 or Federal Reserve Acts 12:142 et.
seq.

450 Commerce Action filed under the Interstate Commerce Acts 49:1 et. seq.,
49:301.

460 Deportation Action filed under the Immigration Acts (Habeas Corpus & Review)
8:1101/18:1546.

470 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Racketeer influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, RICO 18:1961-
Organizations 1968.

480 Consumer Credit Action filed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681n or
(15 U.S.C. 1681 or 1692) 15 U.S.C. 1681o, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C.
§ 1692k.

485 Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) Action filed under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act 47 U.S.C.
§ 227.

490 Cable/Satellite TV Action filed involving unauthorized reception of cable/satellite TV

service under 47 U.S.C. § 553 (unauthorized reception of
cable/satellite TV), or 47 U.S.C. § 605 (e)(3) (unauthorized use or
publication of a communication).

850 Securities/Commodities/Exchange Action filed under Small Business Investment Act 15:681, Securities
Exchange Act 15:78, Securities Act 15:77, Investment Advisers Act
15:80B(1-21).

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Other Statutes (continued)

Code Title Description
890 Other Statutory Actions Action primarily based on Statutes that cannot be classified under
any other nature of suit, such as: Foreign Agents Registration Act
22:611-621, Klamath Termination Act 25:564-564W-L, Federal Aid
Highway Act 23:101-142, Federal Corrupt Practices Act 2:241-256,
Federal Election Campaign Act, Highway Safety Act 23:401,
Immigration & Nationality Act 8:1503, Natural Gas Pipeline Safety
Act 49:1671-1700, Naturalization Acts 8:1421/18:911, 1015, 1421,
et. seq., 3282 or Federal Aviation Act 49:1301 et. seq.

891 Agricultural Acts Action filed under the Federal Crop Insurance Act 7:1501-1550,
Commodity Credit Corporation Act 15:713A-L & 4.

893 Environmental Matters Action filed under Air Pollution Control Act 42:1857-57L, Clean Air
Act 42:1857:57L, Federal Environment Pesticide Control Act, Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act 7:135, Federal Water
Pollution Control Act 33:1151 et. seq., Land & Water Conservation
Fund Act 16:4602, 460 1-4, Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act
42:1857F-1-8, National Environmental Policy Act 42:4321, 4331-35G,
4341-47, River & Harbor Act penalty 3:401-437, 1251.

895 Freedom of Information Act Action filed under the Freedom of Information Act 5:552.

896 Arbitration Action involving actions to confirm or modify arbitration awards filed
under Title 9 of the U.S. Code.

899 Administrative Procedure Act/Review or Action filed under the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 701,
Appeal of Agency Decision or civil actions to review or appeal a federal agency decision.

950 Constitutionality of State Statutes Action drawing into question the constitutionality of a federal or stat
statute filed under (Rule 5.1). Rule 5.1 implements 28 U.S.C. § 2403.

Note: The statutes listed above are not all-inclusive, and other statues might be applicable to each nature of suit.
Statutes that are included in the descriptions should be viewed as examples.

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