THIS REPORT, THE RESULT OF A 1975 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT AND A STUDY TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS, PRESENTS AN OBJECTIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT. FOLLOWING A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE CONCEPT OF A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, THE STATUS OF JUDICIAL INFORMATION IN NORTH DAKOTA IS EXAMINED IN DETAIL. THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE IS GIVEN; CURRENT PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED; AND PROBLEMS AND DEFICIENCIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM ARE IDENTIFIED. THREE WORK PROJECTS ARE PROPOSED: DEVELOPMENT OF A STATISTICAL REPORTING SYSTEM THAT WILL GIVE ACCURATE AND TIMELY CASE STATUS AND CASE FLOW INFORMATION; DEVELOPMENT OF A FINANCIAL REPORTING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE BUDGET INFORMATION; AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MASTER PLAN FOR A NORTH DAKOTA STATE JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE JUDICIARY AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE STUDY COURT REORGANIZATION, IMPROVED SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR COURT PERSONNEL, CHANGES IN JUDICIAL SELECTION, INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR BOTH JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL, REGIONAL PROSECUTORS AND DEFENDERS SERVING LESS POPULATED AREAS, PROCEDURES MANUALS FOR COURT CLERKS, A BENCHBOOK, AND SEVERAL PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE HANDLING OF TRIAL COURT MATTERS. (GLR)