This book describes the coverage of the immunities and liabilities of government officials and employees under 42 Unites States Code Sect. 1983. Among the topics discussed are qualified immunity, immunities of witnesses, and recovery of punitive damages.

This book examines statutes governing actions against the federal government, such as the Tucker Act and the Federal Tort Claims Act. The expansion of attorneys' fees recovery against the U.S. made possible by the 1980 Equal Access to Justice Act is treated in detail, as are the changes in contract dispute resolution contained in the Contract Disputes Act of 1978.