THE OBJECTIVES, STRUCTURE, ADMINISTRATION, AND FINANCING OF THE NEW YORK STATE COURTS ARE REVIEWED BRIEFLY. THE PROGRESS OF THE COURTS IN COMPLYING WITH STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR THE TIMELY DISPOSITION OF CASES IS ASSESSED. STATISTICS ON COURT OPERATIONS FOR 1976 ARE PRESENTED FOR THE COURT OF APPEALS, APPELLATE DIVISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERMS OF THE SUPREME COURT, CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS, COURT OF CLAIMS, SURROGATES' COURTS, AND FAMILY COURT. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS ARE PRESENTED OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL PROGRAMS: THE MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICE; THE CENTRAL INDEX FOR POSTCONVICTION APPLICATIONS; RETAINER AND CLOSING STATEMENTS; COMPULSORY ARBITRATION PILOT PROGRAMS; AND STATEMENTS OF APPOINTMENT AND OF FEES OR COMMISSIONS. SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED, COORDINATED, OR ASSISTED BY THE STATE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION IN 1976 ARE DESCRIBED. SUMMARIES OF CONFERENCE DISCUSSIONS ON CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, EVIDENCE, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE, AND THE ROLE OF THE TRIAL JUDGE ARE INCLUDED. THE CLOSING CHAPTER SUMMARIZES LEGISLATION SPONSORED AT THE 1976 SESSION OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE BY THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE AND THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION. ALSO DOCUMENTED ARE THE UNIFORM RULES FOR THE FAMILY COURT OF NEW YORK, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1977. THE REPORT INCLUDES 92 STATISTICAL TABLES.