Includes bibliographical references (p. [207]-226) and index.

Publisher's description: Over the past several decades, the civil justice process has become alarmingly expensive, politicized, and time-consuming. Though the court system lies at the heart of American democracy, it often does not meet the legitimate needs of the people, resulting in a rift between citizens and their own legal system. And as public trust in the system has eroded, so too has the public's fundamental knowledge of the American judicial branch. With a system that hasn't seen major reform since 1938, it's inevitable that there are shortcomings and misunderstandings, abuse and ignorance. The situation is precarious, but not hopeless. In Rebuilding Justice, Rebecca Love Kourlis and Dirk Olin illuminate why the courts are critical and how they are being eroded, defaced, and undermined in the twenty-first century. While covering complex issues such as civil justice reform, judicial selection and performance evaluation, and domestic relations, Kourlis and Olin propose practical and empowering solutions to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and integrity of America's civil courts. An important portrait of the American judicial system, Rebuilding Justice is a call to action for citizens and civil servants alike to take the steps necessary to fix, support, and protect this crucial cornerstone of our democracy.