MARYLAND JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland] Organized in 1945, the Maryland Judicial Conference reviews the status of judicial business in the various courts, and considers improvements to court practice and procedure. It evaluates and recommends legislation, and discusses proposals to improve the administration of justice and the judicial system in Maryland. Annually, the Conference meets in plenary session

The Conference consists of all judges of the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals serves as chair, and the State Court Administrator as executive secretary (Maryland Rule 16-802).

Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, April 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

JUDICIAL CABINET
Formed in 2000 by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Judicial Cabinet advises the Chief Judge on governing the Judicial Branch of Maryland government. It considers judicial policy and serves as a forum for maintaining communication among the judicial leadership.

The Cabinet's members include the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and the State Court Administrator.

JUDICIAL INSTITUTE OF MARYLAND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
c/o Judicial Training Center, 2009 D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401

In 1981, the Judicial Institute of Maryland was established by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. The Institute develops, provides, and evaluates comprehensive, diverse and cost-effective continuing legal education for the judges of Maryland. It is responsible to the Maryland Judicial Conference for all judicial education and training.

The Institute is governed by the fifteen-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. While the chair and retired judge member serve at the pleasure of the Chief Judge, the Board's other members serve two-year terms. The Board names the Executive Director and Deputy Director (Administrative Order of June 30, 2011; Maryland Rules 18-601).

[photo, Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland]

JUDICIAL COUNCIL

As the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference, the Judicial Council began. It reorganized under its present name in October 2000.

Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, January 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Judicial Council is part of the Maryland Judicial Conference. Between the Conference's annual sessions, Conference work is conducted by the Council and a number of committees as established by the Council in consultation with the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals (Maryland Rule 16-802). Conference committees receive staff support from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

In order to maintain the cohesiveness, leadership, and efficacy of the Judiciary, the Judicial Council provides guidance to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. To the Chief Judge, the Council submits recommendations to improve the administration of justice in Maryland.

The Council consists of twenty-three members: the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Clerks, the Chair of the Conference of Retired and Recalled Judges, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, the State Court Administrator, the Clerk of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Administrators, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Clerks, and the Chief Clerk of the District Court. An additional three Circuit Court judges, four District Court judges, and two District Administrative Clerks are appointed as members to two-year terms by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, in consultation with the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court, and the Chair of the Conference of Court Administrators.

The Deputy State Court Administrator serves as Secretary for the Judicial Council.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee of the Judicial Council consists of five members: the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and the State Court Administrator.

COMMITTEES

Committees of the Judicial Council help develop consensus on internal policies and practices of the Judiciary. They also develop and recommend to the Judicial Council and the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals various positions advanced by the Judiciary to other agencies or groups on matters that affect the administration of justice.

Members of the Judiciary comprise members of the committees of the Judicial Council. Established by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, committees are assisted by staff from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

At present, eight main committees assist the Judicial Council. They are aided by the Judicial Ethics Committee , as well as various subcommittees and work groups.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee was organized. Throughout Maryland's judicial system, the Committee promotes the use of alternative dispute resolution processes. It reviews existing rules and makes recommendations for changes; monitors pending legislation that potentially would impact dispute resolution programs and services; and oversees the development of such programs and services. Further, it sets standards of conduct for professional mediators.

Supporting the Committee's work is the District Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee.

COURT ACCESS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Court Access and Community Relations Committee began as the Public Awareness Committee, which was started by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. In January 2015, the Public Awareness Committee reorganized as the Court Access and Community Relations Committee.

Three subcommittees and one joint subcommittee aid the Committee. The subcommittees are concerned with Community Relations, Language Access, and Self-Represented Litigant. The joint subcommittee focuses on Communication and Access to Judicial Information.

COURT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
The Court Operations Committee was established in January 2015. Under the Committee's purview are all matters concerning the efficient operation of the courts. The Committee works to develop consistent statewide operational policy and to implement known best practices.

Under the Committee are the Court Reporting Work Group, and four subcommittees: Case Management; Courthouse Equity; Forms; and Jury Use and Management.

COURT TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Court Technology Committee was created.

Under the Committee are two subgroups: the Major Project Executive Steering Subcommittee, and the Records Retention Work Group.

DISTRICT COURT CHIEF JUDGE'S COMMITTEE
The District Court Chief Judge's Committee was organized in January 2015.

Three subunits assist the Committee: the Chief Clerk's Subcommittee, the Civil and Domestic Work Group, and the Criminal and Traffic Work Group.

DOMESTIC LAW COMMITTEE
The Domestic Law Committee originated as the Family and Domestic Relations Law Committee, which was started by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. In September 2001, the Committee reorganized with the Child Support Enforcement Committee, and the Juvenile Law Committee to form the Family Law Committee. In January 2015, the Family Law Committee was renamed the Domestic Law Committee.

The Domestic Violence and Peace Order Subcommittee assists the Committee.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Formed in January 2015, the Education Committee coordinates the continuing legal education for the Judiciary, including all judges, family magistrates, Orphans' Court judges, commissioners, and judiciary staff. For judges, magistrates, and commissioners, the Committee guides, promotes, and encourages education. For judiciary staff, the Committee ensures ample training opportunities for professional development, communicates their availability, and encourages participation.

With the Education Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts, other Judicial Council committees, departments, and justice partners, the Committee works to effectuate the provision of all educational services, and seeks out new technologies, and innovative and effective delivery methods (Administrative Order of November 23, 2015).

Five subcommittees aid the Committee. They are concerned with Commissioner Education, Judicial Institute, Magistrate Education, Professional Development, and Technology Training Services.

JUVENILE LAW COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Juvenile Law Committee was organized.

Under the Committee are two subcommittees: Foster Care Court Improvement Program; and Juvenile Justice.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
The Legislative Committee was organized by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference.

The Committee is aided by two subcommittees: Civil Law, and Criminal Law.

RETIRED & RECALLED JUDGES COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Retired and Recalled Judges Committee was initiated.

Under the Committee is the Legislative Subcommittee.

SPECIALTY COURTS & DOCKETS COMMITTEE
In December 2006, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals created the Problem-Solving Courts Committee (Administrative Order of Dec. 21, 2006). In January 2015, the Committee reformed as the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee.

The Committee is assisted by three subcommittees: Business and Technology Case Management; Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Addiction; and Problem-Solving Courts.

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