About

Mission Statement

The Judicial Council's mission is to study the administration of justice in Kansas and make recommendations for improvement. In furtherance of this mission, the Judicial Council publishes legal forms and publications and conducts studies requested by the Legislature or the Supreme Court.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the agency is to review the administration of justice in Kansas and the various substantive and procedural codes used by the courts to identify problem areas or areas of potential improvement and to take appropriate action. To meet this goal, the Judicial Council establishes advisory committees to review specific areas of law and to make recommendations to the Judicial Council for needed improvement. The Judicial Council then reviews the recommendations, makes appropriate changes, and forwards the recommendations to the Supreme Court or to the Legislature for consideration and approval.

Statutory History

The Judicial Council was created in 1927. It is established under K.S.A. 20-2201 et seq. Members of the Council and its advisory committees are authorized compensation and allowances under K.S.A. 20-2206.

Operations

The Judicial Council is responsible for an ongoing study of the administration of justice in Kansas. It recommends options for improvement in the administration of justice to both the Legislature and Supreme Court. Projects are initiated by the Council, or requested by the Legislature or the Supreme Court. Council work may involve drafting legislation and court rules, writing books and manuals, publishing forms, preparing jury instructions, and making reports and recommendations.

The Council has ten members, eight of whom are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as follows: one member of the Supreme Court, one member of the Court of Appeals, two district court judges, and four practicing attorneys. The Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees are also members.

The Judicial Council uses advisory committees to assist in various projects. The Judicial Council's standing committees include Administrative Procedure, Appellate Practice, Civil Code, Criminal Law, Family Law, Guardianship and Conservatorship, Juvenile Offender / Child in Need of Care, Municipal Court Manual, PIK (Pattern Instructions for Kansas) - Civil, PIK (Pattern Instructions for Kansas) - Criminal, Probate Law, Tribal-State Judicial Forum, and Website Forms. The Judicial Council also establishes ad hoc committees occasionally to study specific topics.