Fulton County Superior Court - Atlanta - Georgia

1. To provide Access to Justice to all citizens requires the Court to seek to eliminate barriers to its services. In order to do this the Court must conduct its business openly, ensure that all persons with legitimate business before the Court have access to its proceedings, and make its facilities safe, accessible and convenient to use.

2. To ensure Expeditiousness, and Timeliness in all proceedings focuses on the time it takes to process cases filed in the Superior Court. Unnecessary delay can produce injustice and hardship. The Superior Court has implemented processes to measure the time it takes cases to move through the system in order to identify and remove bottlenecks.

3. To promote Equality, Fairness and Integrity for all persons conducting business in our Court requires there be equality, fairness and integrity in every proceeding. This calls for due process and requires the Court to adhere to relevant laws, procedural rules, and policies when acting in its judicial and administrative capacities. This objective is determined by judges, Court personnel, and juries. All Court decisions and actions must be based on individual attention given to cases without regard to factors such as gender, race, and income.

4. To have Independence and Accountability as a Separate Branch of Government the judiciary must assert and maintain its distinctiveness as a separate branch of government. Courts must both control their proper functions and demonstrate respect for their coequal partners in government. Judicial Independence protects individuals from the arbitrary use of government power and ensures the rule of law. It defines judicial administration and legitimates its claim for respect. Accountability for the Court’s performance is also required.

5. For all Constituents Served in the Fulton County Fifth Judicial District to have Public Trust and Confidence in the Court requires the Court to meet the four objectives described above.

In addition, the Court is committed to a program of Public Information and Education.

The Court also encourages volunteers in all of its programs and emphasizes high standards of public service to citizens on behalf of all staff and judges.

Rev. March 20, 2008