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BOARD FOR JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION RULES (BJAR)
TABLE OF RULES
Rule
Preamble
1 Board for Judicial Administration
2 Composition
3 Operation
4 Duties
5 Staff
BJAR
PREAMBLE
The power of the judiciary to make administrative policy
governing its operations is an essential element of its
constitutional status as an equal branch of government. The
Board for Judicial Administration is established to adopt
policies and provide strategic leadership for the courts at
large, enabling the judiciary to speak with one voice.
[Adopted effective January 25, 2000.]
BJAR 1
BOARD FOR JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
The Board for Judicial Administration is created to provide
effective leadership to the state courts and to develop policy to
enhance the administration of the court system in Washington
State. Judges serving on the Board for Judicial Administration
shall pursue the best interests of the judiciary at large.
[Amended effective October 29, 1993; January 25, 2000.]
BJAR 2
COMPOSITION
(a) Membership. The Board for Judicial Administration shall consist of judges
from all levels of court selected for their demonstrated interest in and
commitment to judicial administration and court improvement. The Board
shall consist of five members from the appellate courts (two from the
Supreme Court, one of whom shall be the Chief Justice, and one from each
division of the Court of Appeals), five members from the superior courts,
one of whom shall be the President of the Superior Court Judges'
Association, five members of the courts of limited jurisdiction, one of
whom shall be the President of the District and Municipal Court Judges'
Association, two members of the Washington State Bar Association (non-voting)
and the Administrator for the Courts (non-voting).
(b) Selection. Members shall be selected based upon a process established by
their respective associations or court level which considers demonstrated
commitment to improving the courts, racial and gender diversity as well as
geographic and caseload differences.
(c) Terms of Office.
(1) Of the members first appointed, one justice of the Supreme Court
shall be appointed for a two-year term; one judge from each of the
other levels of court for a four-year term; one judge from each of
the other levels of court and one Washington State Bar Association
member for a three-year term; one judge from the other levels of
court and one Washington State Bar Association member for a two-year
term; and one judge from each level of trial court for a one-year
term. Provided that the terms of the District and Municipal Court
Judges' Association members whose terms begin on July 1, 2010 and
July 1, 2011 shall be for two years and the terms of the Superior
Court Judges' Association members whose terms begin on July 1, 2010
and July 1, 2013 shall be for two years each. Thereafter, voting
members shall serve four-year terms and the Washington State Bar
Association members for three-year terms commencing annually on June 1.
The Chief Justice, the President Judges and the Administrator for
the Courts shall serve during tenure.
(2) Members serving on the BJA shall be granted equivalent pro tempore time.
[Amended effective October 29, 1993; February 16, 1995; January 25, 2000; June 30, 2010.]
BJAR 3
OPERATION
(a) Leadership. The Board for Judicial Administration
shall be chaired by the Chief Justice of the Washington
Supreme Court in conjunction with a Member Chair who shall
be elected by the Board. The duties of the Chief Justice
Chair and the Member Chair shall be clearly articulated in
the by-laws. The Member Chair shall serve as chair of the
Long-range Planning Committee. Meetings of the Board may be
convened by either chair and held at least bimonthly. Any
Board member may submit issues for the meeting agenda.
(b) Committees. Ad hoc and standing committees may be
appointed for the purpose of facilitating the work of the
Board. Non-judicial committee members shall participate in
non-voting advisory capacity only.
(1) The Board shall appoint at least three standing
committees: Long-range Planning, Core Missions/Best
Practices and Legislative. Other committees may be convened
as determined by the Board.
(2) The Chief Justice and the Member Chair shall
nominate for the Board's approval the chairs and members of
the committees. Committee membership may include citizens,
experts from the private sector, members of the legal
community, legislators, clerks and court administrators.
(c) Voting. All decisions of the Board shall be made by
majority vote of those present and voting provided there is
one affirmative vote from each level of court. Eight voting
members will constitute a quorum provided at least one judge
from each level of court is present. Telephonic or
electronic attendance shall be permitted but no member shall
be allowed to cast a vote by proxy.
[Adopted effective January 25, 2000.]
BJAR 4
DUTIES
(a) The Board shall establish a long-range plan for the
judiciary;
(b) The Board shall continually review the core missions and
best practices of the courts;
(c) The Board shall develop a funding strategy for the
judiciary consistent with the long-range plan and RCW 43.135.060;
(d) The Board shall assess the adequacy of resources
necessary for the operation of an independent judiciary;
(e) The Board shall speak on behalf of the judicial branch
of government and develop statewide policy to enhance the
operation of the state court system; and
(f) The Board shall have the authority to conduct research
or create study groups for the purpose of improving the courts.
[Adopted effective January 25, 2000.]
BJAR 5
STAFF
Staff for the Board for Judicial Administration shall be
provided by the Administrator for the Courts.
[Adopted effective January 25, 2000.]
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