Civil Case Processing in Oregon Courts

Publication
This report represents the third stage of an extended IAALS study of civil litigation in Oregon. The first two stages examined civil case processing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, and perceptions of the Oregon bench and bar… MORE

New Report Establishes Principles for Improving the U.S. Civil Justice System

Publication
Last year, we reported on the results of a survey of Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), conducted by IAALS and the ACTL Task Force on Discovery. The survey collected the opinions of nearly 1500 experienced litigators,… MORE

A Roadmap for Reform: Civil Caseflow Management Guidelines

Publication
This report is intended to help jurisdictions interested in streamlining court practices and procedures to achieve greater efficiency.

A Roadmap for Reform: Pilot Project Rules

Publication
Published in collaboration with the American College of Trial Lawyers Task Force on Discovery, this report serves as a guide for states interested in testing recommendations designed to reduce cost and delay in the civil justice system.

A Strategy for Judicial Performance Evaluation in New York

Publication
Unfortunately, existing mechanisms in New York lack both the depth and breadth to provide information on judges and judicial candidates in a truly meaningful way. This need not be the case. Across the country, states have adopted judicial… MORE

Managing Toward the Goals of Rule 1

Publication
Two new studies may help federal judges better achieve the objectives of Rule 1 of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure—a “just, speedy, and inexpensive” resolution of civil cases. The first study stems from an examination of the dockets of nearly 8… MORE

America’s Ailing Civil Justice System

Publication
This article provides a brief overview of the history of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the challenges that have plagued American civil procedure over the past seven decades, and the various approaches that have been employed—often… MORE

America’s Judicial Selection Wars

Publication
In 2008, fifteen states held contested elections for twenty-six supreme court seats. And, according to national watchdog groups the Brennan Center for Justice and Justice at Stake, nearly $20 million was spent on television advertising, an increase… MORE

Civil Case Processing in the Federal District Courts

Publication
This report draws on data drawn from nearly 7,700 federal cases that were terminated between October 1, 2005, and September 30, 2006, and sets forth a series of recommendations, based on findings from three different types of analysis.

Survey: Colorado Voter Opinions on the Judiciary

Publication
In July 2007, a telephone survey of 726 registered Colorado voters was conducted on behalf of IAALS and the League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund. IAALS and LWVCO co-sponsored the survey to better understand voter knowledge and opinions… MORE