Visiting Comittee on Court Management Established

(Press Release)

Press Release

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
210 New Courthouse
Boston, Massachusetts 02108


CONTACT: Joan Kenney/Charlotte Whiting
617/557-1114
joan.kenney@sjc.state.ma.us


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6, 2002


CHIEF JUSTICE MARGARET H. MARSHALL ESTABLISHES
VISITING COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT IN THE COURTS

Boston—With the goal of developing a model management system for the administration of justice in Massachusetts, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall today announced the members of a new Visiting Committee on Management in the Courts, which will assess managerial practices and policies in the court system and make recommendations to improve the delivery of service in the administration of justice.

The Visiting Committee consists of distinguished executives and scholars with proven experience and expertise in major organizations that have successfully managed change. The overall mission of the Visiting Committee is to examine and make recommendations regarding the standards and current effectiveness of managerial systems within the courts. To that end, the Visiting Committee will review budgetary processes and fiscal controls, managerial qualifications and performance standards for court personnel, case management and use of technology, and managerial deployment of personnel and fiscal resources to improve the administration of justice. In developing its recommendations, the Committee will consult with judges, clerks, and other court personnel, as well as with leaders of the legislative and executive branches of government, of the bar and with community representatives. Court systems that have already become national exemplars of “best practice” in judicial administration will be a resource in the Committee’s work.
Chief Justice Marshall said, “The people of the Commonwealth have a right to expect that the administration of justice is compatible with 21st century management practices and is well equipped to embrace rapidly changing social, economic and legal forces that are challenging all institutions. Bringing in esteemed leaders from the private and public sectors to examine the foundations of our court administration and to propose a strategic blueprint will help us to create a modern management system worthy of the public.”

Chancellor of Boston College J. Donald Monan, S.J. was named as the Chair; Vice Chairs are Patricia McGovern, Special Counsel and Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and William C. Van Faasen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The other members are Charles D. Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Professor Wesley W. Marple, Jr., Professor of Finance at Northeastern University, College of Business Administration; Ralph C. Martin II, a partner of the law firm Bingham McCutchen LLP and former Suffolk County District Attorney; Honorable David Mazzone, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and Dorothy A. Terrell, President, Platforms and Services Group, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, NMS Communications.

In a keynote address to the Massachusetts Bar Association this year, Chief Justice Marshall announced that she would enlist the assistance of management leaders from the private and public sectors to consider “the best, most effective administrative structure for our courts.” The Chief Justice said, “Like any organization, we must reform ourselves to meet the demands of the times. But we must do so in a way that enhances the people’s confidence in what we do. …There will be no question that is not asked. You will be told of every answer that is given.”

Chief Justice Marshall praised Father Monan and the other committee members for their commitment in helping the court system develop a strategic plan for improving its management practices.

Chief Justice Marshall stated, “I am convinced that with the best court management practices and policies in place, and with the support of judicial branch personnel and the other branches of government, our court administration will be a national model of organizational excellence. We can learn much from management leaders outside the system, and I am grateful to the members of the Visiting Committee for giving their time and expertise to help us fulfill our overall mission of enhancing the administration of justice in the Commonwealth.”

The Visiting Committee is expected to present a preliminary report to the Supreme Judicial Court within six months.

Related Link: <http://www.mass.gov/courts/press/pr080602.html>