Judicial Review of Claims

Judicial Review of Claims Sec. 1310. Upon disagreement as to a loss insured under this title, suit may be maintained against the United States in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the United States district court in and for the district in which the claimant or his agent resides, notwithstanding the amount of the claim and any provision of existing law as to the jurisdiction of United States district courts, and this remedy shall be exclusive of any other action by reason of the same subject matter against any agent or employee of the United States employed or retained under this title. If the claimant has no residence in the United States, suit may be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in any other United States district court in which the Attorney General of the United States agrees to accept service. The procedure in such suits shall otherwise be the same as that provided for suits in the district courts by title 28, United States Code, section 1346 (a)(2), so far as applicable. All persons having or claiming or who might have an interest in such insurance may be made parties either initially or upon the motion of either party. In any case where the Secretary acknowledges the indebtedness of the United States on account of such insurance, and there is a dispute as to the persons entitled to receive payment, the United States may bring an action in the nature of a bill of interpleader against such parties, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, or in the United States district court of the district in which any such person resides. In such actions any party, if not a resident of or found within the district, may be brought in by order of court served in such reasonable manner as the court directs. If the court is satisfied that persons unknown might assert a claim on account of such insurance, it may direct service upon such persons unknown by publication in the Federal Register. Judgment in any such suit shall discharge the United States from further liability to any parties to such action, and to all persons when service by publication upon persons unknown is directed by the court. The period within which suits may be commenced contained in said Act providing for bringing of suits against the United States shall, if claim be filed therefor within such period, be suspended from such 72 Stat. 806 time of filing until the claim shall have been administratively denied by the Secretary and for sixty days thereafter: Provided, however, That such claim shall be deemed to have been administratively denied if not acted upon within six months after the time of filing, unless the Secretary for good cause shown shall have otherwise agreed with the claimant.