Justice System Change – a Personal Retrospective

This article presents the author’s perspective on changes to court and justice systems over the past sixty years, focusing on those in which he was personally involved. Section One discusses efforts to improve discrete aspects of U.S. justice, beginning with initial bail reform efforts in the 1960s. Section Two contemplates large-scale justice system changes undertaken since the 1989 collapse of the Soviet Union in member countries that had been under authoritarian rule. The author views the changes in emerging democratic societies as very positive, especially with the emergence of strong professional associations supporting the changes. However, he cautions that practitioners committed to the rule of law and constructive change will confront major challenges in coming years as new waves of authoritarianism sweep across the globe. Despite the threats, the author is confident that further positive changes are achievable and sustainable.