Subcommittees

In a combined effort with the Guam Bar to improve the delivery of services to the public, justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Superior Court sit as chairpersons or co-chairpersons on various judiciary subcommittees that are tasked with examining certain aspects of Guam law. In many cases, these subcommittees suggest and draft new versions of Guam law, as with the Rules of Evidence and Rules of Civil Procedure, and new versions of rules governing the practice of law, such as Rules of Court. These subcommittees additionally provide an opportunity for breaking new ground in law and procedure, as with the Videoconferencing subcommittee. On the whole, the subcommittees are important in providing an opportunity for members of the bench, the bar and the community to speak openly and in a more informal setting about issues important to the administration of justice.

Seeks to facilitate the resolution of disputes through arbitration, and is in the process of establishing ethical and training standards for arbitration.

Explores avenues that allow mediation, as a form of alternative dispute resolution, to be used in the justice system.

Tasked with the protection of victims and witnesses of crimes as their cases proceed through the criminal justice system.

Continues to draft the local question portion of the Guam bar examination, which is administered twice a year, and grade all essay exams administered in this jurisdiction.

Responsible for issues relating to judicial ethics, and ensuring that judges comply with the high expectation of the public regarding their ethical duties.

Has examined the existing Guam Rules of Appellate Procedure and completed its proposed revisions to such rules to be submitted to the bar for comment, and then to the Supreme Court for its decision to promulgate.

Responsible for drafting jury instructions in criminal cases and has completed a draft of two proposed chapters of proposed model criminal jury instructions based on the Committee on Standard Jury Instructions, Criminal, of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California (“Caljic”).

Devoted to improving public understanding of the role of justices, judges, and practitioners, as well and the professionalism and ethics in the legal field and members developed a National Action Plan that makes recommendations regarding improvement of lawyer competence.

Completed revisions to the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure and continues to prepare new Rules of the Superior Court of Guam, to substitute the Rules of Court.

Formed to review the existing Evidence Law of Guam and to propose amendments to the Rules and Principles of Evidence in Title 6 of the Guam Code Annotated.

Responsible for conducting a review of the structure, format, and content of the Guam Rules pertaining to the Admission to the Practice of Law and formulating a revised set of rules based on their observations, and is tasked in similarly reviewing the Guam Rules for the Discipline of Attorneys which will begin following the revision of the Admission Rules.

Responsible for examining the role of technology and automation in the court process, and assisting to facilitate its implementation of new technology thereof.

Tasked with exploring the use of video conferencing technology in court proceedings to eliminate the safety risks and costs associated with transporting individuals from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Affairs. Members are currently developing technical standards and ensuring that Guam’s detention facilities are adequately equipped to handle video conferencing, and are drafting and revising proposed rules for the use of video conferencing in certain criminal adult proceedings and juvenile proceedings which will be finalized and submitted to the Supreme Court for its consideration and approval.