Fulton’s Business Court nationally recognized

ATLANTA – The Fulton County Business Court has been named Best in Category of innovative court programs for 2009 by the National Association of Counties.

The Fulton Business Court, created by the Superior Court of Fulton County, hears cases involving damages in excess of $1 million, with multiple litigants, large amounts of documentary evidence, complex commercial or business claims and extensive discovery.

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves said the award indicates the caliber of legal services available to local businesses.

“This recognition speaks well for the entire team at the Fulton County Superior Court, and their dedicated service to Fulton County businesses and residents,” Eaves said. “Innovation in justice is a high priority for Fulton County Government, and we are pleased to see that we are among the nation’s best.”

Since 2006 the Fulton Business Court has provided cost-effective resolution for complex commercial and business cases. In addition to retaining legal business in Atlanta the Business Court has begun to grow a robust body of business law in Georgia.

Community partnerships were critical to forming and sustaining the specialty court, said Superior Court Chief Judge Doris L. Downs.

“With the support of the Atlanta business community and funding from the Fulton County Commission we have been able to build a Business Court that is making Atlanta a Mecca for commercial litigation,” said Judge Downs. “The State Bar also is to be commended for having the vision to promote the creation of this Court by the Supreme Court of Georgia.”

The National Association of Counties Achievement Award Program recognizes programs that improve the management of services by county government. This year’s winners represent 30 states and 123 counties.

Since the program’s inception in 1970, the Achievement Award Program has honored hundreds of county government initiatives that have improved service delivery, achieved greater cost efficiency, provided finer customer service, and helped to develop a better-trained work force.
Fulton’s Business Court is one of 17 innovative programs cited in Georgia and one of only two cited as Best in Category in the national NACo Achievement Awards.

For more information on the NACo Achievement Awards, visit www.naco.org.