Achieving Equal Justice for Women and Men in the Courts. The Draft Report of the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Gender Bias in the Courts

The Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Gender Bias in the Courts was appointed by two Chief Justices and charged with the duty of examining the problem of gender bias in the California courts, gathering information, and making recommendations to the Judicial Council to correct any problems identified. The committee has found that serious problems do exist in decison making, court practices and procedures, the fair allocation of judicial resources, and in the courtroom environment. The committee proposes a series of recommendations in the areas of: Civil Litigation and Courtroom Demeanor, Family Law, Domestic Violence, Juvenile and Criminal Law, and Court Administration. The committee also proposes a recommendation for implementing its suggestions and for developing judicial education programs on gender bias issues