The initial meeting of the NH Citizens Commission on the State Courts took place on April 18 at the NH Supreme Court. The group, comprised of non-lawyer citizens as well as members of the legislative and executive branches, the judicial branch and the Bar, was convened by the Supreme Court to gather public input on the future direction of the state court system. (See www.courts.state.nh.us for official announcement and list of members.)

Chief Justice John T. Broderick, Jr., said that the formation of a citizens' group was a necessary follow-up to the work of the Task Force on Justice System Needs & Priorities, which issued the Vision of Justice report last fall. In a period of less than nine months, former NHBA President Bruce W. Felmly led a task force comprised mostly of justice system insiders that began work on a strategic plan for the court system.

The citizens group will be co-chaired by Will Abbott, of Holderness, who is executive director of the Mount Washington Observatory and is well known for his contributions on a wide range of state policy issues; and Katharine Eneguess, of Jaffrey, the president of the NH Community Technical College Berlin/Laconia and a leader in education and public policy. To provide direction to its work, the Citizen's Commission has adopted the sub-title, "Honor the Past-Prepare for the Future."

In letters of invitation to NH community leaders, judges, lawyers, law enforcement officials and others, Chief Justice Broderick explained what he hopes the commission will accomplish:

"My colleagues and I believe that the challenges confronting the judicial system over the next decade and beyond need urgent attention. In order to reform the system to meet tomorrow's challenges, we are anxious to have substantial public input. The court system belongs to the people of New Hampshire and it is only fitting that they help identify the necessary changes so that justice can remain efficient, affordable and accessible.

"I would like the Citizens Commission to examine the Vision of Justice Report, the Pro Se Task Force Report of the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued in January 2004, and the Family Law Task Force report issued November 1, 2004 and to undertake any additional fact gathering it deems necessary. In anticipation of its own report and recommendations, I would expect the work of the Citizens Commission to take 12 to 16 months," the Chief Justice wrote to prospective members.

"As Commissioners, each of you has an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of our court system where the fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed in the New Hampshire Constitution are protected every single day," Broderick wrote. "You have a stake in the quality of our justice system, whether or not you have ever spent a day in court or even read a line in the State Constitution. The health and welfare of our communities and our state depends on the ability of the justice system to fairly and efficiently resolve disputes that are inevitable in daily life-for men, women, children and families, business and government. The goal of the Citizens Commission is to determine if we are living up to that responsibility.

"With that in mind, as Commissioners, you will be asked to learn about what we do in the court system, to read and study our reports, visit our courthouses and talk to our judges and staff. Then, we want you to tell us how we can do a better job. You will do this as an independent body. After the April 18th meeting, I will leave the operation of the Commission and its work to Will and Kathy and their Commissioners. I know you are in good hands and I look forward to the results of your efforts," he added.

"In my judgment, the work of the Citizens Commission will be a roadmap to real change and will enhance the administration of justice in New Hampshire in the years to come."

Among the outreach activities that may be undertaken by the commission will be a series of public hearings around the state and a public opinion survey on perceptions and attitudes about the state courts to be conducted by the UNH Survey Center.

The outreach work will be supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Bar Foundation's IOLTA fund and its Access to Justice Endowment.

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