Appeals Court Reverses a Ruling Giving Federal Judges Pay Hikes

WASHINGTON — Federal judges lost a bid for cost-of-living salary increases Friday when an appellate court reversed a lower court ruling that judges were entitled to pay increases that had been denied by Congress.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said Congress was acting within its rights in blocking cost-of-living salary adjustments for federal judges.

Twenty appellate and trial judges sued the government in 1998, arguing that a 1989 pay raise statute provided automatic pay increases for judges. They said courts will lose some of the best judges, and experienced attorneys will think twice about judicial careers because judges do not earn enough.

The government appealed a district court ruling for the judges.

Attorney Kevin Forde, who represents the judges, plans to ask the entire Court of Appeals and, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court, to review the case.

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and lawyer groups have backed higher pay for judges.

Federal trial judges are paid $145,100 a year, appellate judges get $153,900, associate Supreme Court justices are paid $178,300 and the chief justice receives $186,300.