# Justice Manual § 5-15.321: Category 1 Matters

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.321

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 5-15.321
- **Heading:** Category 1 Matters
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 5: ENRD / 5-15.000 - Land Acquisition Section / Justice Manual § 5-15.321

## Text

Category 1 consists of cases in which there are no actual or anticipated policy questions, peculiar appraisal problems, novel legal questions, or claimed compensation in excess of $1,000,000.
See
ENRD Directive No. 2017-07
.  United States Attorneys will have full responsibility for Category 1 cases, subject only to:

Such assistance on tactical or legal matters as they may request from the Land Acquisition Section; and
Pursuant to
ENRD Directive No. 2024-02
, approval of the Department of Justice of any settlements in excess of $2,000,000 or under that amount when:
For any reason, the compromise of a particular claim, as a practical matter, will control or adversely influence the disposition of related claims totaling an amount in excess of $2,000,000; or
The revestment under 40 U.S.C. § 3117 of any land or improvements or any interests in land is involved, except in cases in which the land owner desires to remove buildings, trees and shrubs, crops, or fixtures attached to the realty which are not needed or desired by the government, provided that the exclusion has been approved by the local representative of the acquiring agency; or
Because a novel issue of law or question of policy is presented, or for any other reason, the settlement offer should receive the attention of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of this Department.

The United States Attorney should email copies of proposed court papers to the assigned Land Acquisition Section attorney for information, comment, and suggestions as the case proceeds, and should cooperate in the reasonable implementation of all suggestions made.

[cited in
JM 5-15.320
]

[updated August 2024]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 5-15.001 Area of Responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.001.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.002 Policy Regarding Consent to Trial of Condemnation Cases by United States Magistrate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.002.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.003 Policy Regarding Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Condemnation Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.003.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.100 Prior Approval Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.200 Organization of Land Acquisition Section](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.201 Categories of Litigation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.201.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.300 Direct Referral Cases From Agencies to United States Attorney Offices Are Not Permitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.320 Assignment of Case Responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.320.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.321 Category 1 Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.321.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.322 Category 2 Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.322.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.500 General Procedures in Land Acquisition Litigation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.511 Rule 71.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.511.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.512 Declaration of Taking Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.512.md)
- [Justice Manual § 5-15.514 Division Policy Regarding Trial of Land Condemnation Cases by United States Magistrates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.514.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S5-15.321. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.