Academic Articles
Combining a weighted caseload study with an organisational analysis in courts: first experiences with a new methodological approach in Switzerland
Authors:
Daniela Winkler ,
Center of Competence for Public Management
University of Bern, CH
Andreas Lienhard,
Center of Competence for Public Management
University of Bern, CH
Daniel Kettiger,
Center of Competence for Public Management
University of Bern, CH
Hanspeter Uster
Lawyer, Büro Hanspeter Uster, CH
Abstract
Determining the weighted caseload, i.e. the average amount of work time used for processing cases of different case categories, using different methodological approaches of weighted caseload studies results in case weights that indicate the current performance of a court. However, as the weighted caseload is often used in allocating resources or cases, the results of a weighted caseload study may be contested with the argument it is not clear whether they are based on an average good performance or whether higher or lower values could be assumed if operational management were optimised or qualitative aspects taken into account. Suitable methods therefore usually include quality adjustments of the weighted caseload. Also, the values can be validated using benchmarking. In Switzerland there is a general lack of workload measurement in courts. Therefore, in an analysis of the courts and in the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office of a Swiss canton another method of validating weighted caseload values has been applied: the combination of a weighted caseload study with an organisational analysis. This paper introduces the new methodological approach and outlines preliminary methodological findings.
How to Cite:
Winkler, D., Lienhard, A., Kettiger, D. and Uster, H., 2015. Combining a weighted caseload study with an organisational analysis in courts: first experiences with a new methodological approach in Switzerland. International Journal for Court Administration, 7(1), pp.27–36. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/ijca.174
Published on
15 Jul 2015.
Peer Reviewed
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