Judicial Conference News Releases
Explore the news releases of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Federal Judiciary Braces for Broad Impact of Budget Sequestration

Published onMarch 12, 2013
Stating that sequestration has put the federal Judiciary "in uncharted territory," a federal judge told the Judicial Conference today that "we face a budget crisis that is unprecedented, one that is not likely to end in the near-term."
Judiciary Continues Cost Savings, Closes Court Facilities

Published onSeptember 11, 2012
The Judicial Conference of the United States today agreed to close six non-resident federal court facilities—the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by the federal Judiciary’s national policy-making body.
Conference Continues Aggressive Cost Containment

Published onMarch 13, 2012
Following on the heels of a cost containment summit convened last fall, the Judicial Conference of the United States today approved a series of money-saving initiatives in an effort to prepare for funding levels that will otherwise cause significant reductions in staff and court services.
Conference Approves Standards & Procedures for Sealing Civil Cases
Published onSeptember 13, 2011
The Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted a national policy that encourages federal courts to limit those instances in which they seal entire civil case files.
Judicial Leaders Hear Concerns Over Funding
Published onMarch 15, 2011
The Judicial Conference of the United States today received a report on the potentially dire consequences the federal Judiciary may face if a Fiscal Year 2011 funding measure is not soon adopted.
Judiciary Approves Pilot Project for Cameras in District Courts
Published onSeptember 14, 2010
The Judicial Conference of the United States today approved a pilot project to evaluate the effect of cameras in federal district courtrooms and the public release of digital video recordings of some civil proceedings.
Expanding Caseload Fuels Judiciary Request for Resources in 2011
Published onMarch 18, 2010
Submitting the smallest funding increase requested in more than 20 years, representatives of the federal Judiciary today asked a House subcommittee to adequately fund the courts in the coming year so they can cope with anticipated increases in case filings.
Judiciary Approves Free Access to Judges’ Workload Reports; Courtroom Sharing for Magistrate Judges
Published onSeptember 15, 2009
The Judicial Conference of the United States today voted to make a judge-specific workload report available for the first time over the Internet at no charge and also approved a courtroom sharing policy for magistrate judges in new courthouse and courtroom construction.
Judiciary Updates Code of Conduct; Seeks New Judgeships
Published onMarch 17, 2009
The Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted a revised Code of Conduct for United States Judges that will take effect July 1, 2009, the first substantial Code revision since 1992. At its biannual meeting, the Conference also voted to ask Congress to create 63 new federal judgeships — 12 in the courts of appeals (nine permanent and three temporary) and 51 in the district courts (38 permanent and 13 temporary).
Judicial Conference Adopts Courtroom Sharing Policy As Latest Cost-Saver
Published onSeptember 16, 2008
In furtherance of its aggressive cost containment efforts, the Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted a policy for senior trial judges to share courtrooms in new construction. In addition, the Conference took steps to develop and implement a courtroom sharing policy for magistrate judges, to study the feasibility of and develop an appropriate policy for sharing courtrooms by non-senior district judges in large courthouses, and to study courtroom use in bankruptcy courts, and if the results warrant, develop a sharing policy for those courtrooms.
National Rules Adopted for Judicial Conduct and Disability Proceedings
Published onMarch 11, 2008
The Judicial Conference of the United States today approved the first-ever binding, nationwide set of rules for handling conduct and disability complaints against federal judges, bringing consistency and rigor to the process.
Transcripts of Federal Court Proceedings Nationwide To Be Available Online
Published onSeptember 18, 2007
The Judicial Conference of the United States today voted to make transcripts of federal district and bankruptcy court proceedings available online through the Judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
Federal Judiciary Says New Judgeships Needed
Published onMarch 13, 2007
The Judicial Conference of the United States today voted to ask Congress to create 67 new federal judgeships-15 for the courts of appeals and 52 for the district courts.
Conference Moves to Enhance Judges' Accountability, Ethical Compliance
Published onSeptember 19, 2006
The Judicial Conference of the United States today approved two policies aimed at aiding and enhancing judges' compliance with established ethical obligations.
Conference Supports Shift in Responsibility for Courthouses
Published onMarch 14, 2006
Contact: David Sellers, 202-502-2600