SJC Exchange Library

In 1991 the Supreme Court, through Administrative Order 1991-4, explicitly recognized that ". . . the management of the flow of cases is properly the responsibility of the judiciary." The Court then reaffirmed its commitment to ". . . an effective, fair, and efficient system of justice." This guide to caseflow management was originally developed in response to the Court's mandate and has recently been revised to incorporate changes produced by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2003-7 and 2011-3, and more recently, by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2013-12.

This guide has been prepared for judges and caseflow management practitioners to assist them in developing and improving their caseflow systems. Toward that end, it incorporates information about the following court management principles:

1. Caseflow management is the supervision or management of the time and events necessary to move a case from initiation to disposition or adjudication.

2. Court supervision of case progress, including adjournments, is necessary for an effective and efficient case management system.

3. Judicial support and leadership and the involvement of the bar and justice agencies is critical to the development and maintenance of a caseflow management system.

4. Management information, whether from an automated or manual system, is needed to determine if the court is meeting its caseflow management goals and objectives, assess the effectiveness of case management procedures and practices, and determine the need for change.

The Advisory Committee that assisted in developing the original guide consisted of judges and administrators with extensive case management experience. A revision workgroup was established to assist in rewriting the guide to reflect current information and practices.
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