The Nation - News from July 13, 1987

The number of lawsuits filed in federal courts has nearly tripled since 1970, with heavier caseloads stemming from contract disputes, personal injuries and complaints from federal prisoners, a Bureau of Justice Statistics report said. The number of civil case filings rose from 87,300 in 1970 to 254,800 last year, while criminal cases increased just 4% in that time--from 40,000 to 41,500, the report said. Meanwhile, the number of district judges increased by 43%, to 575. Less than 5% of the civil cases reached trial in 1986. Nearly half were settled with no court action, and another 47% were settled before trial.