The New Hampshire Judicial Branch made its case for more judges and court staff in front of the House Judiciary and Children and Family Law Committees recently by pointing to a 2022 weighted caseload assessment that shows the need for 32 new clerical staff and 18 new judges—17 in the state’s circuit court. 

The Judicial Branch’s request to the legislature for more judges and staff for fiscal years ‘24 and ‘25 comes as complaints about the court’s ability to handle cases promptly have continued. Last year, HB 1346, calling for the establishment of a commission to investigate the Judicial Branch’s family court system and how it handles cases, was killed.