 Wilson’s stated at that time that policy and administration are two different matters.  Judges were responsible for judging and establishing fundamental court policy and that a third task was for a trained executive officer working under the judge to relieve judges of the function of handling the numerous business and administrative affairs of the courts.

 Peak (2004) defines a good working definition of judicial administration, as advanced by Wheeler and Whitcomb, as being “The direction of and influences on the activities of those who are expected to contribute to just and efficient case processing-except legal doctrinal considerations, insofar as they dispose of the particular factual and legal claims presented in a case” pp ).  Court administration might be defined as the specific activities of those persons who are organizationally responsible for manipulating these various judicial administration directions and influences.

 Partisan elections, non-partisan elections, merit selection, or appointment are the typical ways that a judge is selected for the courts.  At present 34 states and the District of Columbia use the merit system.  There is no evidence that any one system produces better judges that the other systems.

 Mastering the breadth of law they must know and apply.  Administering the court and the docket while supervising court staff.  Coping with the psychological discomfort that accompanies the new position.

 Three other good qualities that make a good judge : ◦ Judges are keenly aware that they occupy a special place in a democratic society. They exercised their power in the nose undemocratic of institutions with great restraint. ◦ They are aware of the necessity for intellectual humility, an awareness that what they think they know might well be incorrect. ◦ They do not allow the law to become their entire life: they get out of the courtroom, mingle with the public, and remain knowledgeable about current events.

 Presiding judges.  Court clerks- these folks can also be called registrar of deeds, circuit clerk, registrar of probate and even auditor.  Trained court administrators- This is a relatively new phenomenon and began development in the 1960’s. Few large court systems, primarily in big cities, are without one or more court administrator.

 Reports- prepare and submit to the judges periodic reports on the activities and state of business of the court.  Personnel administration- serve as personnel officers for the court’s non- judicial personnel.  Research and evaluation- the function here is to improve court business methods.

 Equipment management- procure and allocate furniture and equipment and perform inventories of such.  Preparation of court budget- self explanatory here.  Training coordinator- provide training for non-judicial personnel.

 The judge looks for indications of good management, such as the availability of personnel policies, recruitment and selection procedures, orientation for new employees, performance evaluation procedures, a discipline and grievance process, case management policies, financial controls, and other various administrative policies.  The judge should be getting regular information- important reports and data on the courts performance, plans, activities, and accomplishments should be available for the judge’s review.

 Judges should be watching carefully- how does the administrator respond to problems and crises? Do they show initiative?  Judges must often ask others about the performance of the administrator- solicit input from other lawyers, other judges, and other staff members. (Peak, 2012, p. 170)