THE COURTS AS A BUSINESS Research Committee Minutes Meeting Date: 02.13.06 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Meeting Place: Room 201-202 Legislative Office Building Concord, NH Members Present: Eric Herr, chair; John Crosier, Dan Callaghan Eric Herr opened discussions on the three draft recommendations proposed by committee members. In summary, the three draft recommendations addressed the development of technological tools which should be utilized by the judiciary; creation of a proactive outcome; based management system for the courts; and the direction of investments in personnel. In reviewing the draft recommendations, the Committee considered the following issues: Information Technology - consideration of available tools - development of conference and procedural structures other than in court hearings (i.e. teleconferences) - creation of systems to provide the courts with on-going advice on best practices Performance Management - creation of a balanced focus of outcomes and process in the administration of justice - establishment of performance standard - development of management strategies which focus on results Human Resource Management - creation of a full time judiciary - investment in personnel (i.e. training, continuing education, etc.) - establishment of performance standards, including formalized performance review and rewards for excellence in the delivery of services After consideration of these recommendations, the Committee ranked Human Resource Management as Priority 1; Performance Management as Priority 2; and Information Technology as Priority 3. The Chair agreed to re-draft each recommendation and deliver copies to all Committee members electronically. The Committee agreed to provide comments to the second draft recommendations prior to 02.22.06 so that final draft recommendations would be filed on or before 03.01.06. The Committee adjourned at 11:15 a.m. J:\WDOX\DOCS\CLIENTS\08001\00031\M0852027.DOC