This is from the 1996 Annual Report of the Alabama Unified Judicial System:
During FY 1996, domestic relations filings and dispositions decreased for the second consecutive year. A total of 48,286 domestic relations actions were filed in the Alabama circuit courts during FY 1996, a decrease of 583 cases or 1.2 percent. Of these cases, 33,944 were original actions and 14,342 were modifications or rules nisi. Of the state’s 40 judicial circuits, only 13 reported increased domestic relations filings. The 19th Circuit (Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties) reported the largest increase in filings (150 cases or 10.5 percent). Dispositions for
FY 1996 totaled 47,020 cases, a decrease from the prior year of 344 cases or less than 1 percent. The largest decrease in filings was reported by the Birmingham Division of the 10th Circuit (Jefferson County, down 153 cases or 2.7 percent).
Twenty-one circuits reported increased dispositions during FY 1996. The 13th Circuit (Mobile County) led the state in increased dispositions (202 cases or 4.6 percent). The largest decrease in dispositions was reported in the 27th Judicial Circuit, down 203 cases or 15.5 percent.
Over the five-year period from FY 1992 to FY 1996, domestic relations filings increased by 508 cases or 1.1 percent. The greatest rate of increase in domestic relations filings and dispositions stems from modifications and rules nisi.
Whereas original filings decreased by 0.8 percent over the five-year period, modifications and rules nisi increased by 4.7 percent. Similarly, dispositions for original case actions decreased by 0.8 percent, while dispositions of modifications and rules nisi increased by 6.2 percent.
Throughput/Case Currency. Statewide, throughput in the domestic relations jurisdiction was 97 percent in FY 1996. Fourteen circuits met or exceeded the statewide goal of 100 percent throughput. The 40th Circuit (Clay and Coosa counties) reported the highest domestic relations throughput of 116 percent.
In FY 1996, the statewide case currency in the domestic relations jurisdiction was 43 percent. The 15th Circuit (Montgomery County) reported the lowest civil case currency (19 percent).
The goal for processing a domestic relations case is 18 months or less. In FY 1996, 96.7 percent of all domestic relations dispositions met this goal.