Every year, tens of millions of legal disputes end up in state courts, but significant numbers of litigants do not attend their court date, whether virtually or in-person. While many studies examine why litigants miss court and the consequences for them, fewer reports explore how missed appearances affect courts themselves.
A new National Center for State Courts (NCSC) report, “Missing In Actions: How Low Appearance Rates Impact Courts,” outlines four ways these no-shows affect court operations and provides practical solutions to help courts increase appearance rates and ensure access to justice.
“Courts are stretched thin and must make difficult choices about where to prioritize their limited staff and budget,” said NCSC Interim Managing Director Samira Nazem. “Our goal with this report is to show that focusing on increasing appearance rates can be an efficient use of resources, with tools to help quantify the impact and practical solutions courts can implement now.”
The report identifies four main ways that missed appearances affect court operations:
• Caseflow and workload: Missed appearances alter the way courts process cases, affecting caseflow management and time to disposition.
• Staffing: The additional work court staff must perform after a missed appearance can impact morale.
• Downstream effects: The causes and consequences of missing court can influence the public’s perception of courts, eroding trust and confidence in the justice system.
• Financial: By quantifying some impacts, courts can gain additional insight as they consider how to allocate resources while expanding access to justice.
The report includes models to help courts calculate these costs in their own jurisdictions and highlights proven strategies to increase participation — from simple changes such as plain-language hearing notices to more complex solutions like electronic reminder systems.
To learn more, visit www.ncsc.org and click on “Resources for courts.”
NCSC is seeking court partners to calculate the cost of missed appearances in their jurisdiction and develop an action plan for increasing appearance rates. Those interested can email Hannah Makowske at hmakowske@ncsc.org.
A new National Center for State Courts (NCSC) report, “Missing In Actions: How Low Appearance Rates Impact Courts,” outlines four ways these no-shows affect court operations and provides practical solutions to help courts increase appearance rates and ensure access to justice.
“Courts are stretched thin and must make difficult choices about where to prioritize their limited staff and budget,” said NCSC Interim Managing Director Samira Nazem. “Our goal with this report is to show that focusing on increasing appearance rates can be an efficient use of resources, with tools to help quantify the impact and practical solutions courts can implement now.”
The report identifies four main ways that missed appearances affect court operations:
• Caseflow and workload: Missed appearances alter the way courts process cases, affecting caseflow management and time to disposition.
• Staffing: The additional work court staff must perform after a missed appearance can impact morale.
• Downstream effects: The causes and consequences of missing court can influence the public’s perception of courts, eroding trust and confidence in the justice system.
• Financial: By quantifying some impacts, courts can gain additional insight as they consider how to allocate resources while expanding access to justice.
The report includes models to help courts calculate these costs in their own jurisdictions and highlights proven strategies to increase participation — from simple changes such as plain-language hearing notices to more complex solutions like electronic reminder systems.
To learn more, visit www.ncsc.org and click on “Resources for courts.”
NCSC is seeking court partners to calculate the cost of missed appearances in their jurisdiction and develop an action plan for increasing appearance rates. Those interested can email Hannah Makowske at hmakowske@ncsc.org.
