Federal Judicial Center Operational Status:

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the Federal Judicial Center (Center) has ceased all non-excepted activities until funding is restored.

The Center will post any changes in operational status on this web page. Please check back for updates.

You are here

Federal Court Governance: Why Congress Should-and Why Congress Should Not-Create a Full-Time Executive Judge, Abolish the Judicial Conference, and Remove Circuit Judges from District Court Governance

Gordon Bermant, Russell R. Wheeler
January 1, 1994

Long Range Planning Series, Paper No. 3

An analysis of the pros and cons of alternative schemes for the governance of the federal courts. The scheme draws on proposals of various judges and other observers and includes the elements suggested in the title, among others. A "coda" discusses other more modest proposals for change in the governance structure. The paper's purpose is not to advocate any particular proposals, but to stimulate and inform discussion of issues of governance.