2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART I - Organization of the Court (§§ 1-3 — 251) › Chapter 2B - Puerto Rico Judiciary Act of 2003 (§§ 24 — 25r) › Subchapter II - General Courts of Justice (§§ 24b — 24q) › § 24n - Office of Courts Administration

In the administration of the General Court of Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be assisted by an Administrative Director of the Courts, who shall also direct the Courts Administration Office. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law, designated by the Chief Justice, and shall perform his/her office at the discretion of said magistrate. The Office shall also have such Auxiliary Administrative Directors appointed by the Administrative Director, with the approval of the Chief Justice, one of whom shall provisionally substitute for the Administrative Director in the event of his/her resignation, temporary absence, or disability.
The Administrative Director of the Courts, the officials and the employees of the Courts Administration Office, except the attorneys of said Office in matters relating to the performance of official duties or as notary, shall not perform the profession of attorney at law nor as notary while holding such office or employment.
If the appointment as Administrative Director rests upon a person who is holding office as judge of the General Court of Justice, such person shall retain his/her office, for all purposes pertinent to his/her position, status and rights as judge, while performing his/her functions as Administrative Director. During such term, he/she shall earn the salary corresponding to the office of Administrative Director, or the salary corresponding to his/her position as judge, whichever is greater, and once he/she ceases in said office, he/she shall receive the corresponding salary that he/she would have earned if he/she had continued the duties as judge of the General Court of Justice uninterruptedly. Such designation shall not affect the course of the term of the appointment corresponding to the office of judge of the General Court of Justice he/she holds, nor the rights pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Judiciary Retirement System Act, §§ 233 et seq. of this title. The time served as Administrative Director of the Courts shall be accredited for retirement purposes.
The Office of Courts Administration shall perform such duties that will expedite judiciary processes, shall establish measures to achieve the evaluation, efficiency and excellence in the rendering of services and any other similar duties directed by the Chief Justice, for the best functioning of the judiciary system.
It is hereby provided that the Office of Courts Administration may contract without restrictions for the official use of communications technological equipment and gear in the Judicial Branch, in compliance with the obligation of providing the citizens with agile systems and procedures, guaranteeing the security during judicial proceedings as well as in the effective and timely exercise of the jurisdiction and to provide tools that will enable its employees, officials and judges to capably fulfill their duties.
It is likewise reaffirmed that the Judicial Branch shall continue in compliance with the control of the expenses for contracting and making official use of communications technology equipment and gear pursuant to Article VI, Section 9 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; this chapter; Act No. 286 of December 20, 2002; Act No. 177 of December 21, 2001; and Act No. 345 of September 2, 2000; as well as according to the criteria that govern sound public administration.
History —Aug. 22, 2003, No. 201, § 2.013; Sept. 23, 2004, No. 466, § 1; renumbered as § 2.016 on Sept. 29, 2004, No. 509, § 4; Sept. 27, 2006, No. 212, § 1.