Judicial Conference of the United States is the principal administrative body of the U.S. judicial system. It studies the procedures of the federal courts and recommends policy changes. The 27-member Judicial Conference also examines the workload of each federal judicial circuit and district. It may recommend the transfer of judges to circuits or districts that have the heaviest workloads or recommend the creation of new judgeships. The group also handles complaints about federal judges who engage in misconduct or who are unable to perform their duties properly.
The Judicial Conference meets twice a year. Once a year, it gives Congress its recommendations for changes in federal rules. If the changes are approved by the Supreme Court, they take effect after 90 days unless Congress rejects them during that period.
The chief justice of the United States is chairman of the Judicial Conference. Other members are the chief judge of each of the 13 federal judicial circuits and a district court judge from 12 of the circuits. The chief judge of the United States Court of International Trade also serves. Congress established the Judicial Conference in 1922.
