Judicial Management Council Created

The Supreme Court of Florida on its own motion this year created the Judicial Management Council of Florida, an advisory body designed to assist the court in identifying trends, potential crisis situations, and the means to address them. The so-called JMC will assist the court with forward-looking vision to better fulfill its mission to protect rights and liberties, uphold and interpret the law, and provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes (could this mean alternative dispute resolution?). Council members are to maintain an awareness of current issues, policies and trends related to the judicial branch in order to anticipate and respond to changing priorities. They will be responsible for reviewing the charges of the various court and Florida Bar commissions and committees, as well. JMC members are primarily judges (though there are a few bar and public members) who will be recommending consolidation or revision of commissions and committees, methods for the coordination of the work of those bodies. Applications are due tomorrow from members of The Florida Bar in good standing who are interested in JMC membership. Information on appointment to the council by application is available at www.flcourts.org/gen_public/stratplan/JMC.shtml as well as specific information about the council composition, as well as detailed background information, an application form, and instructions for completing the application. This, along with recent changes to the Rules of Judicial Administration that trump Civil Procedure Rules, seems to be consistent with the high court asserting itself.