A report on the role of staff attorneys and special judicial panels in the selection of cases for nonargument disposition in the federal appellate courts. The report was based on an examination of administrative records and on interviews with clerks, senior staff attorneys, and judges. It discusses the criteria and methods used in selecting nonargument cases, and it presents the judges' views concerning the role of oral argument.

A review of data indicating a decline in the percentage of cases disposed of by summary judgment from 1975 to 1986. The report also notes, however, a renewed interest in the use of this procedure, the standards for which have been clarified by several Supreme Court decisions.

A discussion of various techniques for settlement, such as judicial mediation, court-annexed arbitration, the use of special masters, summary jury trials, minitrials, and settlement conferences conducted by magistrate judges. The report is based on a conference of judges experienced in different types of settlement, interviews with court personnel, and literature in the field.

An analysis of the appropriateness of using 400 weighted filings per judge as the touchstone for recommending the creation of new district judgeships. Through statistical comparisons of various single-year filing cutoff points, the authors examine how the district courts have handled their pending caseloads. The report concludes that, although important, the single-year filing levels are imperfect predictors of caseload behavior and that other variables need to be considered.