In Support of State Court Efforts to Advance the Rule of Court Governing Presiding Judges
Resolution 15: In Support of State Court Efforts to Advance the Rule of Court Governing Presiding Judges
WHEREAS, open access to secure, safe courts promotes a sense of confidence in the stability of civil government; and
WHEREAS, the effective administration of justice contributes to the public?s trust and confidence in the courts; and
WHEREAS, presiding judges play a critical role in effective court performance; and
WHEREAS, in response to requests from state court leaders, the National Center for State Courts convened a national working group of judges, court administrators, judicial educators, and researchers to discuss how to strengthen the role of the presiding judge as one component of the court executive team; and
WHEREAS, the national working group requested that the National Center for State Courts conduct research and document key elements of an effective rule of court on the role of the presiding judge; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts subsequently has developed guidelines regarding the key elements of an effective rule of court governing presiding judges based on discussions held during two national meetings, research, and consultation with members of the National Association for Court Management; and
WHEREAS, the resulting Key Elements of an Effective Rule of Court on the Role of the Presiding Judge in the Trial Court can assist leaders of the judicial branch in examining the ways that the rule of court in their respective states can be used to strengthen the role of the presiding judge;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices endorses this document and encourages its members to advance the final version of the Key Elements of an Effective Rule of Court on the Role of the Presiding Judge in the Trial Courts as a tool to use in developing or amending policies and procedures regarding the role of the presiding judge.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Court Management Committee at the 57th Annual Conference on August 1, 2007.