Court Presidents: Managers in the Health Crisis. Role Interpretation Between Regulations and Enabling Technologies

Abstract

The essay outlines the reaction of the presidents of Italian courts to the COVID-19 emergency, describing the outcomes of a careful observation of the measures issued in the first months of 2020 by the heads of the “district” offices and the responses to a national survey administered to all court presidents focusing on the extent of change of judicial offices in response to the health emergency. The analysis examines the leadership styles adopted by presidents and their interpretation of the role as heads of office, the organizational measures adopted and the impact of enabling technologies on courts’ responsiveness. The essay is an opportunity to evaluate the characteristics of the judicial system as a loosely coupled system and how the observed logics of action facilitated new processes of learning and innovation. The key role of court presidents is highlighted, as they are able to innovate and guide the organization in close relationship with colleagues and stakeholders. A continuous dialogue between the center and the periphery emerges, and in the concluding remarks, the authors outline possible actions to broaden its scope, strengthen the management skills of court presidents, and foster their drive for innovation, starting precisely from their experience as managers in the health emergency.