CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Judicial Branch on Wednesday released a report setting forth 27 recommendations to maximize the efficient use of resources and to streamline and coordinate administrative functions in the state’s court system.
In an April 2025 order, the Supreme Court established a committee comprised of judges and court staff to examine Judicial Branch functions. The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) was then engaged to assist with the review. Based in Williamsburg, Virginia, NCSC supports the work of all state and territorial court systems and serves as a clearinghouse for best practices.
The report, prepared by NCSC, makes a number of key findings, as well as 27 separate recommendations that could be implemented by statutory or court rule changes, including:
- Clearly define the authority of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and consolidate administrative functions of the Circuit and Superior Courts into the AOC.
- Develop and implement a strategic plan to implement structural changes to the NH Judicial Branch.
- Establish a committee to evaluate further unification of the trial courts.
- Prioritize securing adequate funding to fully staff and support the Information Technology department to better meet the needs of the Branch and individual courts; and develop an IT governance structure to guide projects and coordinate automation policies.
- Evaluate the impact on efficiency that the legislative change to the repeal of the ‘Felonies First’ process has on the courts and report the findings to the New Hampshire legislature.
- Explore adoption of early case resolution processes for criminal cases.
The Supreme Court has approved the report and will be considering each recommendation individually. It has prioritized implementation of the recommendations regarding consolidation of administrative functions, completion of a strategic plan, improving information technology functions and exploring opportunities to maximize the use of the Branch’s E-Filing and Information Centers.
In preparing the report, the NCSC engaged both internal and external stakeholders, including focus groups and interviews of court users, court staff and judges. Its review included dozens of recommendations for efficiency submitted by Judicial Branch employees. It also examined the structures of other state court systems.
“This is an exciting time for New Hampshire’s Judicial Branch,” said New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald. “With the benefit of extensive input and outside expertise, we have a clear roadmap to implement meaningful improvements to our operations. I thank everyone involved for their contributions to this important effort.”
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch is comprised of two trial courts – the Circuit Court and the Superior Court – as well as one appellate court, the Supreme Court, and the Administrative Office of Courts, which provides administrative support. The Judicial Branch has approximately 800 employees, operates more than forty courthouses around the state and handles approximately 150,000 cases per year.