Presently various discussions prevail concerning the various changes that have prevailed in the area of law practice together with the legal professions future, hence a need for laying emphasis on the court systems. When in the middle of shifting periods, certain challenges occur at times when it comes to seeing the changes taking place in line with comprehending where things are heading (Farole, Puffett, Rempel, & Byrne, 2015). From a certain perspective, it might be helpful to look at the history, present state, and future of the area to gain sufficient knowhow concerning the trends (Schmatt & Hormung, 2016). Thus, the paper evaluates the past, present, and future trends of courts as a component of the criminal justice in line with the managerial and budgetary impact the future trends would have.
On past trends associated with court systems, it appears that the later years of the 20 th century were quite crucial in the event of conventional law firms. Apart from the limited big as but temporary hindrances, the economy was realizing steady growth for several years. Lawyers served as the only individuals that people could result to when seeking legal advice as well as services because they served as the only having access to the needed tools and knowledge. In almost all aspects of courts and the legal environment, ranging from smallest law firms to biggest ones as well as the individuals who practices law in smaller as well as rural societies, the trends resulted to a constant new clients’ supply as well as a rising demand for services that only lawyers would offer (Birkland & Schneider, 2014). Taking advantage of billable hour that rose on a yearly basis with limited grievances from clients as well as a huge number of committed articling associates and learners, a large number of firms were realizing profits whereas serving as a layer meant that an individual was well of in terms of finances. Generally, life was quite good in the event of law firms, lawyers, and the court system (Schmatt & Hormung, 2016).
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In the event of the present trends, it is crucial to notice that the commencement of the 21 st century the idyllic existence appeared to be ending. In most measures, the legal system does not appear to be operating in the manner in which it should. It has grown significantly complex while heading to court is considered as quite expensive as well as time consuming. The parties that represent themselves are experiencing challenges when it comes to handling their individual matters while they are regarded as leading the performance of the court system to deteriorate. Various service gaps prevail in the event of the legal sphere even in the case of the middle class. Most individuals appear to be experiencing challenges when it comes to accessing or affording the legal services they require. Some are even considering going beyond the judicial system to assist them in resolving disputes (Farole, Puffett, Rempel, & Byrne, 2015). For instance, Figure 1 illustrates growing trends of court cases, particularly among young people from 2001 to 2013.
Figure 1: Court Cases
Today, it is essential to note that a decline in conventional legal services is becoming apparent. Clients, particularly the ones in the corporate world are paying considerable attention to the legal costs they incur. They are realizing that billable rewards usually reward inappropriate behavior while it does not do anything that fosters increased efficiency. Clients are looking for increased predictability as well as the value for the money they spend on legal issues (Farole, Puffett, Rempel, & Byrne, 2015). They are undertaking risk and cost/benefit analysis while at the same time looking for legal services they can afford together with substitute fee plans, such as blended rates, fixed rates, phased fees, and value fees among others. A large number of corporate clients are undertaking more of their work in-house. These practices are leading to pricing pressures while at the same time leading the profitability that law firms realize to decline (Schmatt & Hormung, 2016). The declined demand for conventional legal services, especially those billed on an hourly basis indicate a demand for articling leaners together with a tendency to lawyer oversupply although most smaller and rural areas lack sufficient lawyers. The rivalry between firms practicing law is growing in the event of when it comes to attaining clients in line with sustaining good lawyers (Calhoun, 2014) . A trend is also emerging whereby firms are looking for independent contractors, or outsourced suppliers or even temporary workers who work based on demand (Birkland & Schneider, 2014).
On the issue of future trends in court systems, most of the issues taking place today will play a major role in driving changes. Nonetheless, certain others change drivers are starting to have influence, which will be deemed as quite essential in the coming years (Farole, Puffett, Rempel, & Byrne, 2015). For instance, regarding the influence of globalization, both individual and corporate clients are highly likely to have their cases hard by parties from different regions. In addition, in the event of demographics, it is essential to realize that the law profession is aging thus indicating that most lawyers are approaching the age of retirement (Birkland & Schneider, 2014). This raises a major issue in smaller as well as rural societies since younger generations are not establishing their practices in the areas.
Moreover, technology, especially the Internet together with other technologies appear to be having considerable influence by providing clients and lawyers with a myriad of ways to collaborate and communicate while at the same time offering new opportunities for offering legal services (Calhoun, 2014) . Additionally, the Internet is offering consumers and individuals with opportunities of accessing all legal resources and information, which only lawyers accessed several decades ago. Furthermore, outsourcing of the legal process is providing firms with ways of cutting costs (Schmatt & Hormung, 2016). Thus, with the changes, certain interesting questions as well as challenges emerge concerning who would provide legal services as well as the ideal ways of regulating them.
References
Birkland, T. A., & Schneider, C. A. (2014). Emergency management in the courts: Trends after September 11and Hurricane Katrina. The Justice System Journal, 1 (1), 20-33.
Calhoun, J. (2014). Measuring the fortress: Explaining trends in supreme court and circuit court dictionary use. Yale Law Journal, 124 (2), 248-575.
Farole, D., Puffett, N., Rempel, M., & Byrne, F. (2015). Applying problem-solving principles in mainstream courts: Lessons for state courts. The Justice System Journal , 57-74.
Schmatt, E., & Hormung, R. (2016). Judicial education and training. Journal of the International Organization for Judicial Training, 1 (5), 9-80.
