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Utah chief justice praises court reforms, announces leadership transition
Summary
Chief Justice Christine Durham told the Utah House the judicial branch is 'doing remarkably well,' highlighted reforms ranging from e-filing to expanded problem-solving courts, and said she will step down as chief justice with Associate Chief Justice Matthew Durrant to take over April 1; the courts seek one modest legislative change to expand a self-help center.
SALT LAKE CITY — Chief Justice Christine Durham delivered the State of the Judiciary to the Utah House, saying the judicial branch is “doing remarkably well” while describing a decade of reforms that she said have improved access, reduced delay, and expanded services for vulnerable Utahns.
Durham told legislators that justice court reform, new case-management systems, and the publication of performance measures have strengthened fairness and transparency across the state’s courts. “We are doing remarkably well,” she said, and urged continued support for initiatives that help self-represented litigants and at-risk children.
Durham outlined several concrete achievements: changes to selection and retention practices and compensation in justice courts; a statewide automated case-management and records system; performance transparency noted by the National Law Journal; an expansion of problem-solving courts — she said Utah now has 46 drug courts in district and juvenile courts and mental…
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