The Court Reorganization Act of 1978 established a framework for maximum utilization of resources within the trial court. The seven departments of the court are headed by the former administrative justices, who are subject to the supervision of the supreme judicial court. During the year, many innovative programs were initiated by the departments' administrative offices. Each program is geared toward solving a problem defined by the individual department as one in need of attention or change. For example, caseflow management is cited as an important area of concentration by each of the departments, and most have initiated programs to deal with the problems of backlog and delay. Generally, the seven departments of the trial court experienced an increase in business during the period July 1976 to June 1978. Criminal cases, excluding motor vehicle violations, declined 4 percent between fiscal year 1976 and 1977 but rose from 8 percent the following year. Motor vehicle complaints rose from 475.000 in 1976 to 549,983 in 1978. The pattern of civil cases was mixed, increasing slightly in 1977 and then dropping by 21 percent in 1978. About 40 percent more cases were entered than disposed of during the year. Concerning juvenile complaints, 10 percent more were entered in 1978 than in the previous year, and 25 percent more complaints were entered than were disposed of. Photographs, tables, charts, and an appendix of administrative directives are provided in the report.