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43 Third Branch i (2011)

handle is hein.journals/thirdbran43 and id is 1 raw text is: Newsletter of the Federal Courts Vol. 43 Number 1 * January 2011 * Special Issue 2010 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary in 1 935-in the midst of the Great Depression-many Americans sought respite from the Nation's economic troubles at their local movie theaters, which debuted now-classic films, such as Mutiny on the Bounty, Top Hat, and Night at the Opera. Moviegoers of that era enjoyed a prelude of short features as they settled into their seats. As the lights dimmed, the screen beamed previews of coming attractions, Merrie Melody cartoons, and the Movietone newsreels of current events. The 1935 news shorts also provided many Americans with their first look at the Supreme Court's new building, which opened that year. Seventy-five years later, the Supreme Court's majestic building stands out as a familiar and iconic monument to the rule of law. The architect's use of classical elements and durable stone has aptly captured the Court's imperishable role in our system of government. Thanks to the genius of those who framed our Constitution, and those who have maintained faith with its words and ideals over the past two centuries, the American people have a Supreme Court and a national judicial system that are the model forjustice throughout the world. But that is no reason for complacency. As the world moves forward, the courts must be responsive to change, while preserving their place as the venue where justice is achieved through impartial judgment and dispas- sionate application of law. The judiciary, no less than other public and private enterprises, must engage in strategic planning to anticipate and overcome new challenges in the immediate and more distant future. The Judicial Conference-the federal judiciary's policymaking body-is examining the need to adapt for the future through thoughtful and deliberate processes. The Conference, which includes all the chief judges of the federal courts of appeals as well as experienced district judges from each of the regional circuits, is the proper body to chart a course for the courts over the long term that preserves the Judiciary's unique role in our system of government. Its members are engaged trustees of a cherished institution, and they have an obligation secured by a solemn judicial oath to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process. They also have the perspective, experience, and wisdom to evaluate the positive and negative effects of change on the quality and fairness of the judicial system. This past September the Judicial Conference approved the Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary' The plan recognizes the funda- mental mission of the courts to provide fair and impartial resolution of legal disputes, and it embraces the under- lying values that charac- terize the Judiciary, including independence, impartiality, ChiefJusticeJohn G. Roberts,Jr. excellence, and fidelity to the rule of law. The plan identifies seven long-term issues that are critical to the future operation of the federal courts. The Judiciary's central objective is, of course, to do justice according to law in every case. Accomplishing that objective requires, however, a determined focus on subsidiary issues, including managing the courts' public resources, maintaining a skilled workforce ofjudges and support staff, deploying new technologies that enable the courts to do more with less, and developing rules and procedures that provide litigants with reasonable and economical access to the judicial process. It also requires focus on issues that extend beyond the courthouse, such as fostering positive relations with the coordinate branches of government and enhancing the public's understanding of the role of the courts. The Judicial Conference's plan sets out goals and the strategies for attaining them. The goals and strategies are necessarily stated in general terms, which reflect the uncertainties that emerge in any attempt to foresee the future. They are also subject to regular review and revision in response to change. Those goals and strat- egies, though inexact and alterable, are vital in setting national 'See http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FederalCours/Publications/strategicPlan2010.pdf

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