STATE OF IDAHO JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court

Rule 43a.  Administrative Conference.  

(a) The members of the Administrative Conference shall include the following members, or their designees:

(1) the Justices of the Supreme Court;

(2) the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals;

(3) the Administrative District Judges of each of the judicial districts;

(4) the Trial Court Administrators of each of the judicial districts;

(5) the President of the District Judgesí Association;

(6) the current President, the immediate past President, and the President-elect of the Magistrate Judges' Association;

(7) the Administrative Director of the Courts; and

(8) such other persons as the Supreme Court may designate as members of the Administrative Conference.

(b) The Administrative Conference shall meet three (3) times each year, or according to such other schedule as determined by the Supreme Court, and at such other times as the Chief Justice shall direct.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the Administrative Conference collectively, and of each member of the Administrative Conference individually, to make decisions in such a manner as to promote the effective administration of justice throughout the state of Idaho, without preference to any area, region, or class of persons.     

(d) Subject to the constitutional and statutory authority and responsibility of the Supreme Court to administer and supervise the judicial system and to adopt rules of practice and procedure for all courts, the Administrative Conference shall have the responsibility to make recommendations on the following subjects:

(1) the formulation of policies for the judiciary;

(2) the development and refinement of the Mission Statement of the Idaho Courts;

(3) the development of standards for the trial courts and of plans for improving all court operations, with reliance upon evidence-based practices;

(4) the development of proposals for the improved administration of the courts;

(5) the development of policies for ensuring access to the courts and enhancing service to the public;

(6) the development of the Supreme Courtís budget proposals;

(7) legislation that will improve the operation of the judicial branch and promote the effective administration of justice;

(8) the promotion of recruitment and retention of judges and other judicial branch employees, including steps to improve compensation and the working environment;

(9) the formulation of policies for training and continuing education of judges and other court personnel;

(10) the improvement and expansion of the use of technology in the judicial branch in order to reduce costs, improve access to the courts, and promote the speedy resolution of cases;

(11) the development of policies to promote the timely disposition of cases and effective use of judicial resources, including the development of time standards for the resolution of various classes of cases;

(12) the development of uniform standards for the reporting of court caseloads and other statistical data to facilitate improved administration of the judicial system and more effective tracking of costs, benefits, and workloads; 

(13) the development of policies to ensure the security of judges, court personnel, and court facilities, and the adoption of emergency plans that include a coordinated response with appropriate government entities.

(e) In addition, the Administrative Conference shall have the following responsibilities:

(1) to assist all justices, judges, and court leaders to achieve effective leadership;

(2) to share and discuss challenges and concerns in the operation of the courts and to attempt to achieve solutions through an open exchange of views, knowledge and experience;

(3) to facilitate effective communication and dialogue with the executive and legislative branches of state government and with counties, cities, and other entities;

(4) to promote the well-being and effectiveness of judges and other judicial branch employees.

(Adopted March 8, 2012, effective April 1, 2012; amended effective April 10, 2023)