Chief Justice Receives Report from Futures Commission

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye today received the final report of the Commission on the Future of California’s Court System. The 290-page report includes 13 broad recommendations dealing with civil and small claims, criminal and traffic law and procedures, family and juvenile law, fiscal and administrative operations, and technology.

“This a substantive body of analytical work,” the Chief Justice said. “I commend the Commission for focusing on practical reforms to increase efficiency, modernize court structure, and expand access to justice for a diverse population. I will study and digest the report and by next month I hope to report on what the next steps should be.”

The 63-member Futures Commission was co-chaired by Associate Supreme Court Justice Carol A. Corrigan and Administrative Presiding Justice William R. McGuiness of the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District and began its work in July 2014.

In a letter to the Chief Justice, Justices Corrigan and McGuiness said the recommendations “present new ideas for the branch along with proposals to revitalize and expand a number of existing initiatives. They provide pathways to change in-court practice, procedure, and judicial administration.”

The Commission’s methodical approach included an initial survey that generated more than 2,000 responses from lawyers, judges, judicial branch professionals, and others. It conducted five public comment sessions, 430 conference calls, and 22 in-person meetings of its various working groups.