THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE: THE COURT ASSIGNMENT AND JUDICIAL SATISFACTION

A survey of 355 judges examined the differences in judicial satisfaction between those assigned to problem-solving courts—such as drug treatment and unified family—and judges in other more traditional assignments such as family law and criminal courts. The unified family court systems, like drug treatment courts, have generally adopted the principles of therapeutic jurisprudence. Significant differences were found on each of the three survey scales: (1) helpfulness, (2) attitude toward litigants, and (3) positive effects of assignment. The judges who were in the problem-solving courts (drug treatment and unified family court) scored higher on all three scales than those who were not (traditional family and criminal court). The group of problem-solving court judges consistently scored higher than the other group of judges, with the drug treatment court judges scoring the highest. The group of traditional criminal court and family court judges scored less positively, with the criminal court judges having the lowest scores. The problem-solving court judges were more likely to report believing that the role of the court should include helping litigants address the problems that brought them there and were more likely to observe positive changes in the litigants. They were also more likely to believe that litigants are motivated to change and are able to do so. They felt more respected by the litigants and were more likely to think that the litigants were grateful for help they received. The problem-solving court judges were also more likely to report being happy in their assignments and to believe that these assignments have a positive emotional effect on them.     

THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM

Since Chief Justice Taft's highly activist tenure, many people have looked to the Supreme Court for leadership in efforts to modernize federal judicial administration. This article reviews the role of the Chief Justice of the United States in federal judicial administration. as well as organizational and procedural improvements in court management at all three tiers of the federal court system, as seen by one trained in public administration Although improvement is apparent. other needed steps include less emphasis on the number of judgeships and more careful long-range planning and experimentation with new techniques     

JUDICIAL DECISIONS IN FAMILY RELATIONS IN POLAND

At a time of sweeping political, economic, and social changes in Eastern Europe, the family courts in Poland are under threat. This article traces their development and unique approach to family law and outlines the proposals for change in the Polish court system.     

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ITALIAN LEGISLATION

The aim of the present paper is to highlight the unsatisfactory state of affairs obtaining in present-day Italy in relation to the use of gender-inclusive language in legislative texts. After recalling some of the main issues brought to the fore by Alma Sabatini et al.’s Report of 1987, which showed conclusively, through an analysis of the print media, that women were marginalized both in terms of gender usage and image, the paper focuses on the language of the four main Codes and of other, shorter legislative texts, showing how the masculine gender is invariably privileged, with the feminine being sidelined and/or ignored. Subliminally, this type of style relegates women to second-class citizens status.     

CHANGING THE LAWYER'S ROLE IN MATRIMONIAL PRACTICE

"In that case," said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, "I move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies-"
"Speak English!" said the Eaglet. "I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and, what's more, I don't believe you do either!" And the Eaglet bent down its head to hide a smile: some of the other birds tittered audibly.
—Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll     

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR IN CHILD PROTECTION PROCEEDINGS

Mediators in child protection proceedings have a distinctive role. The cases present complex and emotion-laden issues. Mediators must go beyond their established role as a third-party neutral and ensure that the process neither adds to the trauma a child and family have already experienced nor jeopardizes the safety of the child.