District Of Columbia § 11-501 - Civil jurisdiction.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 11-501 — Civil jurisdiction., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 11-501. Civil jurisdiction.
11-501In addition to its jurisdiction as a United States district court and any other jurisdiction conferred on it by law, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has jurisdiction of the following:
Any civil action or other matter begun in the court before the effective date of the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1970 other than any matter over which the Superior Court of the District of Columbia takes jurisdiction under section 11-921(a)(4)(G) or 11-921(a)(5)(B).
During the eighteen-month period beginning on such effective date, any civil action or other matter which is brought under —
(relating to gifts to minors);
(relating to hospitalization of the mentally ill);
(relating to property of the mentally ill);
(relating to commitment and maintenance of substantially retarded persons);
(relating to appointment of committees for alcoholics and addicts) [repealed]; or
(relating to appointment of conservators) [repealed].
During the thirty-month period beginning on such effective date, any civil action or other matter —
which is brought under (relating to partition and assignment of dower);
which would have been within the jurisdiction of the Orphans Court of Washington County, District of Columbia, before June 21, 1870;
relating to the execution or validity of wills devising real property within the District of Columbia, and of wills and testaments properly presented for probate in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and the admission to probate and recording of those wills;
relating to the proof of wills of either personal or real property and the revocation of probate of wills for cause;
involving the granting and revocation for cause of letters testamentary, letters of administration, letters ad colligendum and letters of guardianship, and the appointment of successors to persons whose letters have been revoked;
involving the hearing, examination, and issuance of decrees upon accounts, claims, and demands existing between executors or administrators and legatees or persons entitled to a distributive share of an intestate estate, or between wards and their guardians;
involving the enforcement of the rendition of inventories and accounts by executors, administrators, collectors, guardians, and trustees required to account to the court;
involving the enforcement of distribution of estates by executors and administrators and the payment or delivery by guardians of money or property belonging to their wards; or
otherwise within the probate jurisdiction of the court on the day before such effective date.
Any civil action (other than a matter over which the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 11-921(a)) begun in the court during the thirty-month period beginning on such effective date wherein the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000.
Annotations
“”, referred to in paragraph (2)(F), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“”, referred to in paragraph (2)(E), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“”, referred to in paragraph 2(C), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“The effective date of the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1970,” referred to in this section, means, as set forth in § 199(c) of the Act, the first day of the seventh calendar month which began after the enactment of the Act.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 11-501
What does D.C. Code § 11-501 cover?
Section 11-501 ("Civil jurisdiction.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 11-501?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 11-501" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 11-501 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.