An overview explains the role and activities of the policy making organization, the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration and describes the organization of the District of Columbia Courts. Information is also presented regarding revenue and disbursements for the courts, significant decisions of the Court of Appeals in 1996, and filings and dispositions in the Court of Appeals. Statistics are also presented for superior court case activity, caseload trends for 1992-96, criminal cases, civil cases, family cases, probate cases, dispute resolution for small claims and other cases, the activity of the domestic violent unit, activity related to child abuse and adult and juvenile supervision, and transcript production from audio tapes and by court reporters. Figures, tables, and photographs