Research project:
Profile of the ‘judicial administrator’ within the context of autonomisation (2005-2006)

Commissioner: The Belgian Federal Science Policy

Timing: 1st October 2005 – 31st July 2006

• Relevance
• Objectives and content
• Methodology
• Researchers

Relevance of the research

Today’s society is characterized by a more efficient and effective use of resources, in other words, by the presence of more management and policy. This also goes for the functioning of the courts. The classical juridical system is not fit to deal with the massive increase in the number of cases. It is not clear who should and who is able to develop, control and implement an efficient administrative management system for the judicial system. To assign this task to the magistrates seems to be problematic, since they focus primarily on the contents of legislation and jurisdiction.
Following the minister of Justice, the Government approved the Themisplan at the 24th of August 2005. The Themisplan suggests to consign the management of the resources of the courts and public prosecutor’s offices to a ‘judicial administrator’, who supports the magistrates with the management of the resources (personnel and others) in the judicial organizations.
The research will examine the way how such a ‘judicial administrator’ can be seen in the light of the modernization trend in the judiciary, e.g. decentralization, granting more autonomy to the offices of the public prosecutor and courts, the introduction of new forms of budget controlling, information science and ICT-applications, strategic planning and human resources management. Further, a competency profile will be developed for such a ‘judicial administrator’.

Objectives and content of the research

The research aims to design (a) competency profile(s) for the new functions which will be created within the context of responsibility for the management of the resources in the judicial organizations.

The research consists of four phases:
Phase 1. In depth study of a number of international cases (1 month)
Phase 2. Analysis of the Belgian situation (3 months)
Phase 3. Diagnosis of the problems with implementing the Themisplan (2 months)
Phase 4. Development of a profile of the ‘judicial administrator’ and indicating the critical success factors in implementing this new position (4 months)

Methodology

The research consists of a policy based study. During the research, different methods will be used: international comparative research, analysis of personnel data, document analysis, interviews with privileged witnesses, and a number of focus groups will be organized in order to validate the job description and the competency profile for the ‘judicial administrator’.
A permanent dialogue with and feedback from the parties involved are critical determinants to succeed this research.

Researchers

Public Management Institute, KU Leuven: Prof. dr. Annie Hondeghem, Prof. dr em. Roger Depré, & Joris Plessers.