THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN OCTOBER OF 1972 BY THE CONGRESS AND WAS COMPOSED OF SIXTEEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, AND THE PRESIDENT. THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO PERCEIVED INABILITIES WITHIN MANY CIRCUITS TO ADEQUATELY HANDLE INCREASING CASELOADS, STRIKING CASELOAD IMBALANCES BETWEEN CIRCUITS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES THOUGHT TO RESULT FROM GEOGRAPHIC AND STRUCTURAL FACTORS. HEARINGS WERE HELD IN TEN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. WITNESSES INCLUDED FEDERAL DISTRICT AND APPELLATE COURT JUDGES, OFFICERS OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND OF OTHER REGIONAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS, LAW SCHOOL FACULTY, AND LAWYERS. ALSO INCLUDED IS A COPY OF THE RULES ADOPTED BY THE SECOND CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN DECEMBER OF 1971 IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF APPEALS. FOR THE COMMISSION'S REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS, SEE NCJ-25944.