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Judicial officials say Pathways approach has sped family‑court cases; advocates and lawmakers press for funding, legal aid
Summary
Chief Court Administrator Maureen Pezzuto and judges described a multi‑track 'Pathways' system that leaders say is resolving a higher share of family matters faster. Officials pushed for more services for litigants, remote‑interpretation expansion and training for judges; legislators pressed on delays in specific jurisdictions like Stamford.
Chief Court Administrator Maureen Pezzuto and senior judges told the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 22 that Connecticut’s multi‑track case management program, known as Pathways, has shortened many family‑court cases but still needs funding and more services to help litigants who appear without lawyers.
Pezzuto described Pathways as “differential case management”: tracks for simpler cases (track A), intermediate cases (track B) and complex cases (track C). She told lawmakers the branch’s aim is to “reduce time spent in court, reduce conflict and reduce costs.” Pezzuto said Pathways and related reforms have boosted the share of family cases resolved within 90 days to about 52 percent, up from roughly 0 percent before early reforms and about 32 percent after earlier changes.
“Every case with Pathways gets into court within 30 to 60 days, and it's structured so every case should be seen not only by family relations on that day, but also by a judge so that judge can make sure that case is aligned with the services that family or that individual needs,” Pezzuto told the panel. She and other witnesses described how family relations officers triage cases on an RPD (resolution plan date) and assign appropriate services such as mediation or supervision of visitation.
Several legislators and family‑law practitioners said specific assignments — especially Stamford — still face long delays. Representative Barry O’Day described a modification request that took 18 months in a Stamford file and asked whether the branch would support making retroactive relief mandatory for certain post‑judgment modifications. Pezzuto said she would consider specific cases and said many reforms, including Pathways, have been producing better statewide results.
Judges and staff also outlined efforts to expand remote services that emerged during the pandemic. The branch has added about 120 remote interpreting “carts” so interpreters can serve multiple hearings from a central location, and it has built remote platforms for emergency orders and arrest‑warrant reviews to reduce officer travel. Pezzuto said the branch is building an internal AI review committee as a controlled testing ground for any new tools.
Lawmakers asked about access to counsel for victims and applicants for temporary restraining orders; Pezzuto noted pilot grants for lawyers serving TRO applicants in the five largest judicial districts and said the branch would welcome expansion if additional funding is available. Senator Will Haskell (not a committee member) emphasized training and resources for judges and court staff to manage self‑represented litigants.
Ending: Officials told the committee Pathways has shortened many family cases and freed judicial resources, but members and practitioners said more funding for legal aid, court‑based services and targeted attention to problem jurisdictions are still needed.
