Chief Justice Canady: Courts making headway in clearing case backlogs: Pledges a 'careful, deliberative process' as the court considers recommendations from two court committees.

The Supreme Court values its close relationship with the Bar, considers pay raises for trial court judges a top priority, and case management is paying off when it comes to reducing a backlog of cases.

Those are just a few things Chief Justice Charles Canady told the Board of Governors at its recent meeting in Tallahassee.

Chief Justice Canady opened his remarks praising the Supreme Court's collaboration with The Florida Bar and its leaders.

"It is a wonderful relationship," he said. "It is a relationship where there's mutual respect, I'm very grateful for the collaboration that we have."

Referring to the 60-day legislative session that convened January 11, Justice Canady said a 10% pay raise for circuit and county court judges is the Supreme Court's top priority.

He said he felt "very encouraged" after a conversation with legislative leaders, but he cautioned that "we have a long way to go" before the session ends and lawmakers approve a budget.

"We've fallen down among the states in the compensation for trial court judges in a pretty dramatic way over the last 10 to 15 years," he said. "I think we've got a lean system. Our trial court judges work hard, and I think we need to recognize that through appropriate compensation."

Turning to COVID-19, Canady said a pandemic-related backlog of cases has created an "unprecedented challenge."

The good news, Chief Justice Canady said, is that a Supreme Court order featuring "some pretty aggressive case management" that he issued in April, AOSC20-23, has resulted in "quite a dramatic reduction."

Between July and December last year, the backlog in circuit civil fell 36%, and the backlog in county civil fell 26%, Justice Canady said.

"So, I'm very pleased with that," he said. "Obviously, we've got more to do."

The court may take further steps, Canady said.

"I'm looking at how we can replicate the success that we've had with circuit civil and county civil, to address the backlogs that exist on those other dockets, and there will be more coming on that," he said.

Justice Canady said he's aware that meeting the challenge hasn't been easy.

"I know that for the trial court judges and trial lawyers who are dealing with this, it's a stressful time, because there is pressure," he said. "And I appreciate that, and we're grateful for the work that's been done to address these cases."

Referring to a July rules petition filed by the Supreme Court's COVID-19 Workgroup, which focuses on remote technology, Canady...