Abstract

In January 2000, the Judicial Council responded to a recommendation of the Complex Litigation Task Force (task force) by establishing the Centers for Complex Litigation Pilot Program in the Superior Courts of Los Angeles, Orange, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Francisco counties. The task force recommendation was one of several proposed to improve judicial management of complex cases as a means to expedite case resolution, keeps costs reasonable, and promote effective decision making by the courts, parties and counsel. Participation in the Pilot Program required each site to commit to an individual calendar system dedicated exclusively to complex cases with a substantially reduced caseload that would permit participating judges to engage in intensive case management.

The enabling legislation for the pilot program required a report evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program, including the number of complex cases filed, the impact of the pilot program on case and calendar management, and program impact on the trial courts, the attorneys, and the parties. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) contracted with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to conduct the evaluation. NCSC used multiple methods to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program, including site observations, telephone interviews with judges and lawyers, and an empirical examination of key case management characteristics for complex cases in the pilot program compared to complex cases in non-pilot program courts. This report includes the general conclusions of the evaluation, highlights its key findings, and outlines its recommendations.

This abstract has been taken from the authors' executive summary.

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-2003

Publication Information

National Center for State Courts (2003)

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