Federal Judicial Administration

CONGRESS

Appropriates funds, enacts legislation defining 

court organization and jurisdiction, and reviews 

procedural rule amendments.

SUPREME COURT

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE U.S.

COURTS

The Chief Justice appoints the 

director and deputy director after 

consultation with Judicial 

Conference. Provides administrative 

support to courts (including budget, 

personnel, space & facilities), staff to 

Judicial Conference and its 

committees, legislative coordination.

FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER

Board: Chief Justice (chair); 7 judges 

elected by the Judicial Conference; 

Administrative Office director

Board appoints the Center’s director 

and deputy director. Provides the 

courts with orientation, continuing 

education, and research support to 

courts and Judicial Conference.

U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION

8 members, 7 appointed by President 

(including at least three federal 

judges after considering a list 

submitted by Judicial Conference) 

and 1 non-voting ex officio member

Functions: Promulgates sentencing 

guidelines and otherwise establishes 

federal sentencing policies as 

directed by the 1984 Sentencing 

Reform Act.

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF T HE UNITED STATES

Members: Chief Justice (chair); chief judge and 1 district 

judge from each of the 12 regional circuits; chief judge of 

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; chief judge of 

the Court of International Trade.

Functions: Sets national administrative poly for the 

federal judiciary; approves appropriations requests for 

submission to Congress; recommends changes in rules of 

procedure to the Supreme Court for submission to 

Congress; numerous other statutory functions.

COMMITTEES OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

Appointed by Chief Justice; include 

judges, practicing lawyers, legal scholars, 

and ex officio government officials.

CHIEF JUDGES OF 

THE CIRCUITS

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE CIRCUITS

Members: Chief judge (chair); all 

circuit, district, and bankruptcy 

judges; each circuit must also 

provide for participation by 

members of the bar.

Purpose: Considering and advising 

on improvements in the 

administration of justice in the 

circuit.

U.S. DISTRICT COURTS

District courts, each wit ha chief 

district judge and clerk of court, 

also develop and implement 

administrative policy in numerous 

areas within the framework 

depicted above. Each district also 

has a bankruptcy court.

JUDICIAL COUNCILS OF THE CIRCUITS

Members: Chief judge (chair); circuit 

and district judges in equal 

numbers; council size determined 

by majority vote of all active circuit 

and district judges. The circuit 

executive is the secretary of the 

council.

Functions: (1) Make necessary 

orders for administration of justice 

within the circuit (all judges and 

employees of the circuit are 

statutorily directed to give effect to 

council orders); (2) Consider

complaints of judicial misconduct or 

disability under 28 U.S.C. § 372(c) if 

referred by the chief circuit judge; 

(3) Review district court plants in 

various administrative areas, as 

required by statute or Judicial 

Conference.

CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES

Updated October 2010