A 1976 study by the National Center for State Courts, which examined 21 general jurisdiction trial courts in major U.S. cities, concluded that the most promising technique for reducing court delay is court management of case processing from commencement to disposition. This was proven in subsequent field tests of the effects of case management programs. Alternatives to conventional litigation have also been explored and selectively implemented. During 1983 the National Center for State Courts noted the apparent absence of a focal point in case management efforts. The center is examining the pace of litigation in selected trial courts to assess whether delay reduction programs offer precedents for other courts. The Conference of State Court Administrators, the Conference of State Trial Judges, the American Bar Association, and the Conference of Chief Justice have adopted time standards to expedite case processing. Other trends are increased responsibility for reducing delay assumed by statewide judges and administrators along with a more effective use of existing court resources. 75 footnotes and appended national time standards for case processing.