CBJ - November 2011 #03. Judicial Council approves possible private funding for case management system.

California Bar Journal

2011.

CBJ - November 2011 #03.

Judicial Council approves possible private funding for case management system

The California LawyerNovember 2011Judicial Council approves possible private funding for case management system The Judicial Council agreed last month to explore accepting private grant money to help deploy its computerized case management system in three superior courts. It executed a letter of intent between the Administrative Office of the Courts, the State Bar and the Patrick Soon-Shiong Family Foundation to begin a 12-week discussion and planning period to determine if the parties wish to enter into a collaborative relationship.

The foundation is headed by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a billionaire philanthropist and developer of a breast cancer drug, who is working on developing a health-care information grid. Although the letter does not specify the amount of money Soon-Shiong will contribute, judicial officials said it could total $20 million and will allow deployment in the San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Fresno county superior courts. Deployment has been stalled because of statewide budget cuts.

The computer program, the California Case Management System (CCMS), is controversial primarily because of its hefty price tag. State Auditor Eileen Howle estimated in February that full implementation of the system will cost almost $2 billion and criticized what she called poor management and a lack of oversight. Supporters of CCMS, however, dispute that figure and insist the courts cannot operate without modernizing technology, too much money has been spent to turn back now, and ultimately the system will save money.

Development of the system, which is completed, came in around $600 million. Implementing it in the three counties will cost an estimated $60 million-$70 million.

First District Court of Appeal Justice Terence L. Bruiniers, head of the Judicial Council's CCMS committee, said the offer by Soon-Shiong to provide funding and technological assistance "presents, in my view, a unique and historic opportunity that allows us to do significantly more in collaboration with a private nonprofit foundation and with the assistance and support of the State Bar."

"A door has opened to us," said Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge James E. Herman, a council member and head of an internal committee...

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