Becton v. United States

How later courts describe this case

• concluding that Claims Court jurisdiction was exclusive only for suits “founded on contract” involving more than $10,000
• holding that § 1331(a) alone gives district courts jurisdiction to decide federal common law claims
• “Furthermore, the government need not prove that the supervisor had personal contact with each person”
• "In the absence of a clear expression of legislative will, we adopt the construction of the Act that avoids significant constitutional questions.”
• monetary relief based on restitution did not create a "contract-based claim" sufficient to render exclusive Claims Court jurisdiction under the Tucker Act
• Court of Claims does not have exclusive jurisdiction over a suit merely because it raises contract related issues; suit clearly not grounded in contract not subject to exclusive Court of Claims jurisdiction
• test is whether law suit is “founded on a contract involving more than $10,-000”
• using “knew or could have discovered” standard