Court Governance

Court Governance is the framework by which courts operate, managing day-to-day operations and developing long term strategies. Effective court governance provides consistency and predictability of operations, increases transparency and accountability, and promotes meaningful input into the decision-making process. It is essential as it supports judicial independence, enhances public trust and confidence in the courts, and improves the overall administration of justice.

The following learning objectives are designed for a comprehensive course on court governance.

As a result of this education, participants will be able to:

1. 1. Define court governance principles and structure;

1. 1. Describe the role and importance of court governance in promoting the rule of law, judicial independence, procedural justice, and developing and maintaining a high performance court;

1. 1. Identify various organization and governance models, observe and explore his or her own court organization, and list the inherent complexities of courts as public organizations;

1. 1. Conduct an organizational readiness assessment and identify areas and issues that require attention and resolution before adopting a governance structure; and

1. 1. Develop and implement a comprehensive governance structure evaluation process that will enhance effectiveness and encourage improved planning.