NEW HAMPSHIRE CITIZENS COMMISSION ON THE STATE COURTS 
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS 
NOVEMBER 8, 2005 
Attendees: Will Abbott (Co-Chair), Larry Gilpin, Byron Champlin, Claudia Nixon, Ed 
Kelly, Nina Gardner, Laura Kiernan and Julie Morris (recorder) 
Review of Research Committees, Leadership & Protocol: 
There are still slots open, about 50% of all commissioners responded to an email 
sent out asking them to select their top three choices for these committees. Of those that 
responded, Will and Kathy will attempt to give them their first choices. Of those that did 
not respond, committees will be chosen for them. If there are objections, they can be 
brought up with Will or Kathy at that time. Will & Kathy are still working on Chairs and 
Vice Chairs to lead each committee. Decisions on all members will be announced on 
Monday, November 14 at the Commission Meeting. 
Committees need to be self-directed. End goal is for their recommendations to be 
in Will and Kathy’s hands by March 1 and presented to the full Commision for a meeting 
of the Commission in early March. The full Commission will report final 
recommendations by Memorial Day. Committees need to be focused on the task at hand, 
minority reports may be noted in the recommendations but it was suggested that not a lot 
of time be spent on these due to the time frame. All Committee chairs will serve on the 
Steering Committee, and the Steering Committee will meet December 6 to review 
research committee protocols in detail. 
Laura Kiernan is checking if groups can meet by phone instead of face-to-face as 
well as if the minutes are posted on the web does that satisfy the Right To Know law. If 
possible, the AOC could be used for meetings, those not able to be present could be 
conferenced in on the conference phone there. There will be no public participation in the 
deliberations of the research committees, but the public may observe. How to handle 
those with hearing problems who wish to observe a meeting was discussed, it was 
suggested that legal interpreters could be provided with reasonable advance notice. 
Funds would need to be found to underwrite this expense. 
Clerks for each committee would need to get the minutes to Julie to be posted on 
the web for the other committees and the public to view. It was suggested that if a clerk 
cannot be found for each committee, that the Franklin Pierce Law Center may be able to 
provide interns for these. 
The final product from these committees will need to be specific 
recommendations in the form of one paragraph of the actual recommendation and the 
second paragraph for the foundation of the recommendation. There will be no limits on 
the amount of recommendations by any certain committee. Some of these committees 
have overlapping jurisdictions, those will need to be noted and discussed by the leaders 
of each so double work is not happening. The Chair or Co-Chairs of these committees 
will need to present to the Steering Committee at the monthly meetings and be in touch 
with the Steering Committee as to questions on protocol and any issues that arise. 
These committees will need participation from all members to achieve results. It 
was suggested that each leader contact Laura Kiernan as the first step in order for her to 

point them in the right direction as to reports or a contact person. The leaders will need to 
meet with the contact person as a second step in the process. 
Budget: 
The Commission needs an additional $10,000 for administrative costs though 
May 2006. We will also need to raise whatever dollars are determined necessary to have 
the final report discussion facilitated and the final report written. Will and Kathy 
estimate that this could be as much as an additional $15,000. Will and Kathy will 
interview candidates to facilitate and write the final report and come back with a 
recommendation to the Steering Committee. 
Agenda for November 14 Commission Meeting: 
* John Hutson, President and Dean of Franklin Pierce Law Center will present 
information regarding a commission on the legal profession with a question and 
answer session to follow. 
* Will & Kathy will give a brief synopsis on the public listening sessions held to 
date and what issues people have brought up. 
* Review of Research Committees 
Meeting Concluded at 11:45 am 
Respectfully submitted, 
Julie Morris 
Administrative Support 
NH Citizens Commission on the State Courts