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Administrative Office/Federal Judicial Center 

Agreement 

In November 1990, the Administrative Office (AO) and Federal Judicial Center (FJC) directors 

adopted a joint agency report defining both agencies' education and training responsibilities. That 

report, which is still policy, emphasizes the need for cooperation and interdependence of the AO and 

FJC in order to respond to training and education needs of the courts. AO and FJC staff should observe 

this policy as well as the following implementing principles. 

L The overriding objective is to provide federal court personnel the education and training they 

most need, in the most effective and economical manner, without unnecessary duplication of effort. The 

FJC's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, education for judges about substantive legal issues, 

for judges and senior staff about theories and techniques of court and case management, and programs 

in other areas that need its skills. The A O's education and training responsibilities include ensuring 

the proper performance of the many administrative and operational duties vested by statute in the AO 

director and delegated by him to court personnel. 

2. The FJC, as the federal courts' primary educational agency, can provide AO training personnel 

with educational services on matters within FJC competence, consistent with other FJC responsibilities. 

"Services" include, as appropriate, advice on the most cost-effective educational techniques, prototype 

curriculum design, and preparation of educational materials. The AO will normally turn first to the 

FJC for such services, thus avoiding duplication of effort. FJC services that the AO accepts or AO 

services that the FJC accepts are appropriate objects of reimbursement. 

3. As a result of the AO director's statutory responsibility to supervise all administrative matters 

delegated to the courts, the AO serves as a chief source of authority for required administrative and 

management practices; the FJC normally turns first to the AO as a source of advice and of authority 

for these practices in the development and delivery of court training. 

4. Full inter-agency communication, coordination, and exchange of information is essential: 

(a) Both agencies should regularly supply each other with updated lists of all planned educational 

offerings. "Offerings" include, but are not limited to, courses, defined as traditional seminars and 

workshops. (b) Both should extend to appropriate personnel the opportunity to participate in all general 

and specific education planning sessions. (c) Both should ensure that the training needs assessment 

processes incorporate the views of court personnel as well as views of the AO and F JC. (d) Both should 

take special care not to present conflicting or incorrect information about the other's responsibilities, 

programs or operations. 

5. The planning of national, regional, and local programs should promote cost-effective forums that 

either agency may use. If add-on sessions create additional costs, they are to be funded by the agency 

requesting the add-on session. 

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