Trial Court Judicial Evaluation Summary

NEW HAMPSHIRE JUDICIAL BRANCH

TRIAL COURT

JUDICIAL EVALUATION SUMMARY

Evaluation of: ___________________________________________________________________________

By: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________________________________________

The New Hampshire Supreme Court, in consultation with the Administrative Judges of the Superior, District, and Probate Courts, has established the following judicial performance standards, pursuant to RSA 490:32, V (a). The purpose of the standards is to enhance the performance of individual judges and of the New Hampshire judiciary as a whole.

PERFORMANCE	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
1. A judge shall be able to identify and analyze relevant issues.	O	O	O
2. A judge shall exercise good judgment in application of relevant laws and rules.	O	O	O
3. A judge shall give reasons for rulings, when needed.	O	O	O
4. A judge's explanation of rulings shall be clear.	O	O	O
5. A judge shall present findings of fact adequate to support rulings.	O	O	O
6. A judge's decisions (either oral or written) shall be clear.	O	O	O
7. A judge's decisions shall be complete.	O	O	O
8. A judge shall be punctual.	O	O	O
9. A judge shall exercise resourcefulness and common sense in resolving problems arising during the proceedings.	O	O	O
10. A judge's settlement appraisals shall be credible.	O	O	O
11. A judge shall be decisive.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON PERFORMANCE
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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TEMPERAMENT AND DEMEANOR	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
12. A judge shall foster a general sense of fairness.	O	O	O
13. A judge shall not use coercion or threats or the like in settlement efforts.	O	O	O
14. A judge shall be courteous to all who participate in court proceedings.	O	O	O
15. A judge shall be open-minded.	O	O	O
16. A judge shall be patient.	O	O	O
17. A judge shall not be arrogant.	O	O	O
18. A judge shall maintain order in the courtroom.	O	O	O
19. A judge shall demonstrate appropriate compassion.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON TEMPERAMENT AND DEMEANOR
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
20. A judge shall effectively narrow the issues in dispute, when appropriate.	O	O	O
21. A judge shall move proceedings in an appropriately expeditious manner.	O	O	O
22. A judge shall maintain appropriate control over the proceeding.	O	O	O
23. A judge shall allow adequate time for presentation of the case, in light of existing time constraints.	O	O	O
24. A judge shall engage in appropriate settlement initiatives.	O	O	O
25. A judge shall thoughtfully explore the strengths and weaknesses of each party's case in settlement discussions with the attorneys.	O	O	O
26. A judge shall be skillful in effecting compromise.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS

STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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LEGAL KNOWLEDGE	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
27. A judge shall be knowledgeable of relevant substantive law.	O	O	O
28. A judge shall be knowledgeable of rules of procedure.	O	O	O
29. A judge shall be knowledgeable of rules of evidence.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON LEGAL KNOWLEDGE
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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ATTENTIVENESS	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
30. A judge shall be attentive.	O	O	O
31. A judge shall have the ability to really listen.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON ATTENTIVENESS
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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BIAS AND OBJECTIVITY	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
32. A judge's conduct shall be free from bias and prejudice based on race, sex, ethnicity, religion, social class, or other factor.	O	O	O
33. A judge shall treat all litigants in an even-handed manner.	O	O	O
34. A judge shall treat all attorneys in an even-handed manner.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON BIAS AND OBJECTIVITY
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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DEGREE OF PREPAREDNESS	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
35. A judge shall do the "homework" necessary to each case.	O	O	O
36. A judge shall render rulings and decisions without unnecessary delay.	O	O	O

EVALUATOR'S COMMENTS ON DEGREE OF PREPAREDNESS
STRENGTHS:

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AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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		Satisfactory	Needs Improvement	Unsatisfactory
OVERALL PERFORMANCE		O	O	O

OVERALL COMMENTS:

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The evaluator shall identify below each standard that has not been met and shall specify the steps that the judge must take to meet each such judicial performance standard and the time in which the judge must do so.

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