The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal judiciary system of the United States, detailing the structure, jurisdiction, and organization of the courts as outlined broadly in Article III of the Constitution. Key provisions of the Act include:

• Creation of a three-tier federal court system consisting of:
  • The Supreme Court, composed of one Chief Justice and five Associate Justices.
  • Circuit Courts, which served as principal trial courts and had limited appellate jurisdiction.
  • District Courts, established in each state and certain territories, handling admiralty, minor cases, and some federal crimes

• Specification of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction:
  • Original jurisdiction over civil cases between states and cases involving ambassadors.
  • Appellate jurisdiction over federal circuit courts and state courts when federal law or constitutional issues were involved

• Establishment of 13 judicial districts, mostly one per state, with some states divided into multiple districts (e.g., Virginia and Massachusetts)

• Introduction of the role of U.S. Attorney General, United States Attorneys for each district, and U.S. Marshals to enforce federal laws and court orders

• Authorization for removal jurisdiction, allowing defendants sued in state courts by citizens of another state to transfer the case to federal courts, asserting federal judicial primacy

• The Act laid the foundation for the federal judiciary that, with modifications, remains largely intact today and was essential for enforcing national laws uniformly across states

In summary, the Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system's structure, jurisdiction, and key judicial officers, thereby operationalizing the judicial branch of the new federal government