The Federal Court is Canada's national court handling cases involving the federal government, its agencies, and matters under federal jurisdiction. Its caseload includes immigration and refugee appeals, intellectual property disputes (patents, trademarks), maritime law, federal tax appeals, national security matters, and judicial reviews of federal agency decisions. The Federal Court operates parallel to provincial superior courts rather than above or below them—it has specialized jurisdiction over federal matters while provincial courts handle most other litigation. The Federal Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Federal Court. These courts sit in various locations across Canada, making federal justice accessible nationally. Citizens most commonly encounter the Federal Court system through immigration matters, where many decisions by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can be appealed or judicially reviewed.