CourTools

Click above for the CourTools Trial Court Peformance Measures.

The ten trial court performance measures known as CourTools offer courts a balanced perspective on how the court is conducting its business. In designing the CourTools, the National Center for State Courts integrated lessons from successful performance measurement systems in both the public and private sectors with its earlier work with the Trial Court Performance Standards.

Published in a visual and accessible how-to format, the ten CourTools measures:

• Reflect the fundamental mission and vision of the courts
• Focus on outcomes
• Are feasible, practical, and few

Effective measurement is essential for managing court resources efficiently, letting the public know what your court has achieved, and helping identify the benefits of improved court performance.

Click above for the CourTools Appellate Court Peformance Measures.

The Appellate CourTools were designed by the National Center for State Courts to meet the unfulfilled need for a set of performance indicators that would illuminate how well appellate courts handle cases, treat participants in the legal process, and engage their employees.

Measuring court performance can be a challenge. Understanding the steps involved in performance measurement can make the task easier and more likely to succeed.

The Appellate CourTools support efforts toward improved court performance by:

• Clarifying performance goals
• Outlining a measurement plan
• Documenting results

This balanced set of court performance measures provides the judiciary with the tools to demonstrate effective stewardship of public resources. Being responsive and accountable is critical to maintaining the independence courts need to deliver fair and equal justice to the public.