Case weighing for reorganization and efficiency of the justice system

Public administrations have as their primary objective the satisfaction of collective needs, including the fundamental need for justice, which is achieved through efficient and effective services provided by judicial offices. However, one of the main problems of the Italian judicial system is the length of proceedings. To address this critical issue, the Italian judiciary has undertaken an organisational and managerial renewal, introducing measures such as the strengthening of the Ufficio per il Processo (UPP; Office for Proceedings) and the creation of the role of Addetto all’Ufficio per il Processo (AUPP) (Judicial assistants). These measures, introduced by Legislative Decree No. 80 of 9 June 2021, aim to improve the efficiency of the system, reduce the backlog and optimise the allocation of resources. A key element in improving performance is the adoption of accurate measurement tools, such as case weighting, which allow the monitoring and management of the workload of legal operators and improve the overall efficiency of judicial offices. This study, combining !eld observation, document analysis and semi-structured interviews with judges and AUPPs, aims to de!ne a case weighting model as a tool for reorganising and optimising the management of judicial proceedings, particularly in the Court of Appeal of Bari. The results suggest that a correct application of case weighting can lead to improved operational efficiency, reduced processing times and optimised resource allocation, with a positive impact on productivity and the quality of services provided.