This ten-minute video provides an overview of the mandate, governance, and structure of the Federal Judicial Center. It also includes information about the Center’s educational programs and materials for U.S. judges, research projects, work in the field of judicial history, and its collaboration with the judiciaries of other nations.

Overview of the Federal Judicial Center - Slides (PDF)
PowerPoint describing the institutional structure and work of the Federal Judicial Center, including its research, education programs, history resources, and international rule of law mandate.

Federal Judicial Center—Education and Research for the U.S. Federal Courts (PDF)
An overview of the Federal Judicial Center, including its organization, history, and mission. 

Needs Assessment (Video)
This video provides an overview of the needs assessment process for judicial education programs. 

Overview of the U.S. Judicial System - Slides (PDF)
PowerPoint overview of the U.S. judicial system, including the judicial selection process, judicial ethics, case management, and court administration. This PDF also includes the overview of the FJC.

The U.S. Legal System: A Short Description (PDF)
An overview of the U.S. legal system including: (1) the structure of the federal court system; (2) structure of the state court systems; (3) court administration; and (4) the role of judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. For translated versions of this document, see Translated Briefing Materials under the Resources menu.

Federal Courts & What They Do  (PDF)
Introduction to the U.S. court system, its organization and administration, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the government.

Geographical Boundaries of U.S. Courts of Appeals and U.S. District Courts (PDF)
Map of the geographical boundaries of the U.S. courts of appeals and the U.S. district courts.

The Federal Court System in the United States: An Introduction for Judges and Judicial Administrators in Other Countries (PDF)
This booklet is designed to introduce judges and judicial administrators in other countries to the U.S. federal judicial system, its organization and administration, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.

Federal Judicial Administration (PDF)
Outline of the administrative and governance structure of the U.S. courts.

Judicial Conference of the United States (PDF)
Short overview of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Judicial Conduct and Discipline (PDF)
Description of the rules and procedures governing judicial conduct and discipline in the U.S. courts.

Judicial Performance Evaluation (PDF)
A well-designed and carefully administered judicial performance evaluation (JPE) program can serve to improve the administration of justice and enhance public confidence in the judiciary. This document describes different features of a judicial performance evaluation process and describes programs used by the federal and state courts in the United States.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (PDF)
Description of ADR programs and procedures in the U.S. courts.

How Rules of Procedure Are Developed and Revised in the U.S. Courts (PDF)
An overview of the process by which rules of procedure are established in U.S. courts.

Select translated materials are also available. For a complete list, please click here.