ADMINISTRATION

Iowa Code tit. XV, ch. 602, art. 1, pt. 2

in effect

Iowa Code § 602.1201 Supervision and administration.

602.1201. Supervision and administration. The supreme court has supervisory and administrative control over the judicial branch and over all judicial officers and court employees. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1201, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §34

Iowa Code § 602.1202 Judicial council.

602.1202. Judicial council. A judicial council is established, consisting of the chief judges of the judicial districts, the chief judge of the court of appeals, and the chief justice who shall be the chairperson. The council shall convene not less than twice each year at times and places as ordered by the chief justice. The council shall advise the supreme court with respect to the supervision and administration of the judicial branch. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1202, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §35

Iowa Code § 602.1203 Personnel conferences.

602.1203. Personnel conferences. The chief justice may order conferences of judicial officers or court employees on matters relating to the administration of justice or the affairs of the judicial branch. For judges and other court employees who handle cases involving children and family law, the chief justice shall require regular training concerning mental or emotional disorders which may afflict children and the impact children with such disorders have upon their families. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1203, 10201; 95 Acts, ch 182, §28; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §36

Iowa Code § 602.1204 Procedures for judicial branch.

602.1204. Procedures for judicial branch. 1. The supreme court shall prescribe procedures for the orderly and efficient supervision and administration of the judicial branch. These procedures shall be executed by the chief justice. 2. The state court administrator may issue directives relating to the management of the judicial branch. The subject matters of these directives shall include, but need not be limited to, fiscal procedures, the judicial retirement system, and the collection and reporting of statistical and other data. The directives shall provide for an affirmative action plan which shall be based upon guidelines provided by the Iowa state civil rights commission. In addition, when establishing salaries and benefits the state court administrator shall not discriminate in the employment or pay between employees on the basis of gender by paying wages to employees at a rate less than the rate at which wages are paid to employees of the opposite gender for work of comparable worth. As used in this section “comparable worth” means the value of work as measured by the composite of the skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions normally required in the performance of work. 3. The supreme court shall compile and publish all procedures and directives relating to the supervision and administration of the internal affairs of the judicial branch, and shall distribute a copy of the compilation and all amendments to each operating component of the judicial branch. 4. The supreme court shall accept bids for the printing of court forms from both public and private enterprises and shall attempt to contract with both public and private enterprises for a reasonable portion of the court forms. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1204, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §37; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §43, 49; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §271

Iowa Code § 602.1205 Procedures for courts.

602.1205. Procedures for courts. 1. The supreme court shall prescribe procedures for the orderly and efficient administration of the judicial business of the courts. These procedures shall be executed by the chief justice. 2. Procedures for the district court shall provide for a court session at least once each week in each county to be fixed in advance and announced in the form of a printed schedule. However, court sessions may be at intervals other than once each week if in the opinion of the chief judge more efficient operations in the district will result. The procedures shall also provide for additional sessions for the trial of cases in each county at a frequency which will promptly dispose of the cases that are ready for trial. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1205, 10201

Iowa Code § 602.1206 Rules for judges and attorneys.

602.1206. Rules for judges and attorneys. 1. The supreme court shall prescribe rules as necessary to supervise the conduct of attorneys and judicial officers. These rules shall be executed by the chief justice. 2. Supreme court rules shall be published as provided in section 2B.5B. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1206, 10201; 92 Acts, ch 1163, §109; 2015 Acts, ch 29, §103

Iowa Code § 602.1207 Report of the condition of the judicial branch.

602.1207. Report of the condition of the judicial branch. The chief justice shall communicate the condition of the judicial branch by message to each general assembly, and may recommend matters the chief justice deems appropriate. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1207, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §38

Iowa Code § 602.1208 State court administrator.

602.1208. State court administrator. 1. The supreme court, by majority vote, shall appoint a state court administrator and may remove the administrator for cause. 2. The state court administrator is the principal administrative officer of the judicial branch, subject to the immediate direction and supervision of the chief justice. 3. The state court administrator shall employ staff as necessary to perform the duties of the administrator, subject to the approval of the supreme court and budget limitations. The administrator shall implement the comparable worth directives issued under section 602.1204, subsection 2 in all court employment decisions. 4. All judicial officers and court employees shall comply with procedures and requests of the state court administrator with respect to information and statistical data bearing on the state of the dockets of the courts, the progress of court business, and other matters reflecting judicial business and the expenditure of moneys for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1208, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §39

Iowa Code § 602.1209 General duties of the state court administrator.

602.1209. General duties of the state court administrator. The state court administrator shall: 1. Manage the judicial branch. 2. Administer funds appropriated to the judicial branch. 3. Authorize the filling of vacant court employee positions, review the qualifications of each person to be employed within the judicial branch, and assure that affirmative action goals are being met by the judicial branch. The state court administrator shall not approve the employment of a person when either the proposed terms and conditions of employment or the qualifications of the individual do not satisfy personnel policies of the judicial branch. The administrator shall implement the comparable worth directives issued under section 602.1204, subsection 2 in all court employment decisions. 4. Supervise the employees of the supreme court and court of appeals, and the clerk of the supreme court. 5. Administer the judicial retirement system as provided in article 9. 6. Collect and compile information and statistical data, and submit reports relating to judicial business, including juvenile court activities and other matters relating to the judicial branch. 7. Formulate and submit recommendations for improvement of the judicial system, with reference to the structure of the judicial branch and its organization and methods of operation, the selection, compensation, number, and tenure of judicial officers and court employees, and other matters as directed by the chief justice or the supreme court. 8. Call conferences of district court administrators as necessary in the administration of the judicial branch. 9. Provide a secretary and clerical services for the board of examiners of shorthand reporters under article 3. 10. Act as executive secretary of the commission on judicial qualifications under article 2. 11. Act as custodian of the bonds and oaths of office of judicial officers and court employees. 12. Issue vouchers for the payment of per diem and expenses from funds appropriated for purposes of articles 2, 3, and 10. 13. Collect and account for fees paid to the board of examiners of shorthand reporters under article 3. 14. Collect and account for fees paid to the board of bar examiners under article 10. 15. Distribute notices of interest rates and changes to interest rates as required by section 668.13, subsection 3. 16. Prescribe practices and procedures for the implementation of the preapplication screening assessment program referred to in section 125.74. 17. Prescribe practices and procedures for the maintenance of electronic recordings and production of transcripts from electronic recordings referred to in section 602.6405, subsection 4. 18. Carry out duties relating to the identification and service of jurors as provided in chapter 607A. 19. Perform other duties as assigned by the supreme court, or the chief justice, or by law. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1209, 10201; 87 Acts, ch 157, §2; 89 Acts, ch 19, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §40; 2012 Acts, ch 1079, §16; 2013 Acts, ch 130, §54; 2016 Acts, ch 1022, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 133, §4; 2018 Acts, ch 1165, §134

Iowa Code § 602.1209A State court administrator may contractually limit vendor liability.

602.1209A. State court administrator may contractually limit vendor liability. 1. The state court administrator may authorize the procurement of goods and services in which a contractual limitation of vendor liability is provided for and set forth in the documents initiating the procurement. 2. a. The state court administrator shall consider all of the following criteria when determining whether to permit a contractual limitation of vendor liability with regard to any procurement of goods or services: (1) Whether authorizing a contractual limitation of vendor liability is necessary to prevent harm to the state from a failure to obtain the goods or services sought, or from obtaining the goods or services at a higher price if the state refuses to allow a contractual limitation of vendor liability. (2) Whether the contractual limitation of vendor liability is commercially reasonable when taking into account any risk to the state created by the goods or services to be procured and the purpose for which they will be used. b. The state court administrator may consider additional criteria. 3. Notwithstanding subsection 1, a contractual limitation of vendor liability shall not include any limitation on the liability of any vendor for intentional torts, criminal acts, or fraudulent conduct. 2023 Acts, ch 114, §9

Iowa Code § 602.1210 Selection of chief judges.

602.1210. Selection of chief judges. Not later than December 15 in each odd-numbered year the chief justice shall appoint chief judges of the judicial districts, subject to the approval of the supreme court. The chief judge of a judicial district shall be appointed from those district judges who are serving within the district. A chief judge shall serve for a two-year term and is eligible for reappointment. The supreme court, by majority vote, may remove a person from the position of chief judge. Vacancies in the office of chief judge shall be filled in the same manner. An order appointing a chief judge shall be filed with the clerk of the supreme court, who shall mail a copy to the clerk of the district court in each county in the judicial district. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1210, 10201

Iowa Code § 602.1211 Duties of chief judges.

602.1211. Duties of chief judges. 1. In addition to judicial duties, a chief judge of a judicial district shall supervise all judicial officers and court employees serving within the district. The chief judge shall by order fix the times and places of holding court, and shall designate the respective presiding judges, supervise the performance of all administrative and judicial business of the district, allocate the workloads of district associate judges and magistrates, and conduct judicial conferences to consider, study, and plan for improvement of the administration of justice. 2. A chief judge shall not attempt to direct or influence a judicial officer in a judicial ruling or decision. 3. A chief judge may appoint from among the other judicial officers of the district, excluding the magistrates, one or more assistants to serve throughout the judicial district. A chief judge may remove a person from the position of assistant. An assistant shall have administrative duties as specified in court rules or in the order of appointment. An appointment or removal shall be made by judicial order and shall be filed with the clerk of the district court in each county in the judicial district. 4. A chief judge may designate other public officers to accept bond money or security under section 232.23 or 811.2 at times when the office of the clerk of court is not open. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1211, 10201; 85 Acts, ch 17, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1153, §3; 97 Acts, ch 126, §43

Iowa Code § 602.1212 Judges for public utility rate cases.

602.1212. Judges for public utility rate cases. 1. The supreme court shall designate at least one district judge in each judicial district in the state who shall be subject to assignment by the chief justice to preside as necessary in this state in judicial review proceedings referred to in section 476.13, subsection 1. Designations shall be made on the basis of qualifications and experience, and shall be for the purpose of developing a pool of district judges who will have the knowledge and experience needed to expedite judicial review proceedings in those cases. 2. Upon receipt of notice from a district court clerk under section 476.13, subsection 2, the chief justice of the supreme court shall assign one of the district judges selected under subsection 1 to preside at the judicial review proceeding under section 476.13. 83 Acts, ch 127, §43

Iowa Code § 602.1213 District judicial conferences.

602.1213. District judicial conferences. 1. The judicial officers within a judicial district, excluding the magistrates, may convene as an administrative body as necessary to: a. Prescribe local court procedures, subject to the approval of the supreme court. b. Advise the chief judge respecting supervision and administration of the judicial district. c. Exercise other duties, as established by law or by the supreme court. 2. A district judicial conference shall act by majority vote of its members. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1212, 10201; 96 Acts, ch 1153, §4

Iowa Code § 602.1214 District court administrator.

602.1214. District court administrator. 1. The chief judge of a judicial district shall appoint a district court administrator and may remove the administrator for cause. 2. The district court administrator shall assist the chief judge in the supervision and administration of the judicial district. 3. The district court administrator shall assist the state court administrator in the implementation of policies of the judicial branch and in the performance of the duties of the state court administrator. 4. The district court administrator shall employ and supervise all employees of the district court except court reporters, clerks of the district court, employees of the clerks of the district court, juvenile court officers, and employees of juvenile court officers. 5. The district court administrator shall comply with policies of the judicial branch and the judicial district. 6. The supreme court shall establish the qualifications for appointment as a district court administrator. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1213, 10201; 85 Acts, ch 67, §59; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §41

Iowa Code § 602.1215 Clerk of the district court.

602.1215. Clerk of the district court. 1. Subject to the provisions of section 602.1209, subsection 3, the district judges of each judicial election district shall by majority vote appoint persons to serve as clerks of the district court within the judicial election district. The district judges of a judicial election district may appoint a person to serve as clerk of the district court for more than one county in the same judicial district. A person does not qualify for appointment to the office of clerk of the district court unless the person is at the time of application a resident of the state. A clerk of the district court may be removed from office for cause by the chief judge of the judicial district, after consultation with the district judges of the judicial election district. Prior to removal, the clerk of the district court shall be notified of the cause for removal. 2. The clerk of the district court has the duties specified in article 8, and other duties as prescribed by law or by the supreme court. 3. The clerk of the district court shall assist the state court administrator and the district court administrator in carrying out the rules, directives, and procedures of the judicial branch and the judicial district. 4. The clerk of the district court shall comply with rules, directives, and procedures of the judicial branch and the judicial district. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1214, 10201; 92 Acts, ch 1115, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §42; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §29; 2014 Acts, ch 1031, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1121, §81 Appointment of clerk subject to approval of state court administrator; 2006 Acts, ch 1174, §3

Iowa Code § 602.1216 Retention of clerks of the district court.

602.1216. Retention of clerks of the district court. A clerk of the district court shall stand for retention in office, in the county of the clerk’s office, upon the petition signed by eligible electors residing in the county equal in number to at least ten percent of all registered voters in the county to the state commissioner of elections, at the judicial election in 1988 and every four years thereafter, under sections 46.17 through 46.24. The petition shall be filed in the office of the state commissioner not later than one hundred twenty days before the general election. A clerk who is not retained in office is ineligible to serve as clerk, in the county in which the clerk was not retained, for the four years following the retention vote. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1215, 10201; 89 Acts, ch 136, §74; 2001 Acts, ch 56, §37

Iowa Code § 602.1217 Chief juvenile court officer.

602.1217. Chief juvenile court officer. 1. The director of juvenile court services shall appoint a chief juvenile court officer for each judicial district after consultation with the judges of the judicial district, and may remove a chief juvenile court officer for cause. 2. The chief juvenile court officer is subject to the immediate supervision and direction of the director of juvenile court services. 3. The chief juvenile court officer, in addition to performing the duties of a juvenile court officer, shall supervise juvenile court officers and administer juvenile court services within the judicial district in a uniform manner, under the supervision and direction of the director of juvenile court services, in accordance with law and with the rules, directives, and procedures of the judicial branch and the judicial district. 4. The chief juvenile court officer shall assist the state court administrator and the director of juvenile court services in implementing the rules, directives, and procedures of the judicial branch and the judicial district. 5. A chief juvenile court officer shall have other duties as prescribed by the supreme court or by the director of juvenile court services. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1216, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §43; 2006 Acts, ch 1118, §12025 Acts, ch 86, §43 Section amended

Iowa Code § 602.1218 Removal for cause.

602.1218. Removal for cause. Inefficiency, insubordination, incompetence, failure to perform assigned duties, inadequacy in performance of assigned duties, narcotics addiction, dishonesty, unrehabilitated alcoholism, negligence, conduct which adversely affects the performance of the individual or of the judicial branch, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misconduct, or any other just and good cause constitutes cause for removal. 83 Acts, ch 186, §1217, 10201; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §44

Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=602&year=2026Fetched: 10/20/2026