News Releases

The Iowa Judicial Branch website now has procedures that explain family law mediation and links to the required forms for each of the state’s eight judicial districts. The information is available following a July 2020 Iowa Supreme Court order requiring the judicial districts to establish or continue procedures for mandatory mediation or mandatory judicial settlement conferences in all family law cases where at least one party is represented by an attorney. The supreme court ordered that the district plans be implemented by March 1, 2021.

This certification of the most recent one-year treasury constant maturity index published by the Federal Reserve in the H15 Report is distributed to the courts in conformance with Iowa Code Section 668.13(3) (2017).

State Court Administrator Todd Nuccio has announced his resignation.  Nuccio began his duties in September 2017. His last day will be April 30, 2021.

A public service announcement (PSA) released today informs Iowans called for jury service about the safety measures the Iowa Judicial Branch and counties are providing to ensure the health and safety of Iowans serving on juries.

The Iowa Court of Appeals has reselected Judge Thomas N. Bower, Cedar Falls, as chief judge. At the first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the judges of the court of appeals by majority vote designate one judge as chief judge, to serve for a two-year term. Chief Judge Bower has served on the court of appeals since 2012 and was first elected chief judge in 2019 when Chief Judge Gayle Nelson Vogel retired.

The Iowa Supreme Court reselected Justice Susan Christensen, Harlan, as chief justice. At the first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the justices of the supreme court by majority vote shall designate one justice as chief justice, to serve for a two-year term. Chief Justice Christensen was first selected chief justice following the retirement of Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins in February 2020.

On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the House Chambers, Chief Justice Susan Christensen of the Iowa Supreme Court will address a joint convention of the General Assembly on the Condition of the Judiciary.

Iowa clerks of courts are responding to people who have received collection notices that falsely claim to be from the Iowa Judicial Branch or a clerk of court.  The letters warn the individuals that if payments are not made to the 1-800 number on the notice, the person’s driver's license would be suspended and an arrest warrant may be issued. The public should be aware that these notices are a scam and are not from the Iowa Judicial Branch.

Nominating petitions are now available for individuals who wish to have their names listed on the ballot to fill state judicial nominating commissioner positions with terms that will expire on June 30, 2021. 

Chief Justice Susan Christensen has appointed District Judge Lars G. Anderson, Iowa City, as chief judge of the Sixth Judicial District. Judge Anderson succeeds Chief Judge Patrick Grady who will retire December 31, 2020. Judge Anderson will begin the position of chief judge January 1, 2021.