When courthouse planners, architects, or court managers consider various possibilities for the layout of a new courtroom, how far from historic norms should they expect to depart? There has been a strong thread of consistency in the form and function of American courtrooms from colonial times to...

Alison Jones, Lead Consultant

Today’s modern office setting may at first glance appear to be designed solely for extroverts, while leaving introverts craving the solitude of the private office of years gone by. But is that really the case? Do these more open and collaborative office settings cater...

This article looks at how assisting pro se litigants helps the many individuals who decide to pursue this path and can help improve the clerk of court’s functional efficiency—and maybe even solve some space problems when courthouse planning.

Transitioning from a traditional office to an open office environment that fosters collaboration and mobility can be challenging. The Internet contains articles about organizations opening up innovative, colorful spaces with touchdown stations, huddle rooms, phone booths, and amenities such as...

The grand jury is an integral and essential component of the American judicial process. Unfortunately, providing appropriate accommodations for the grand jury is not a high priority in many existing courthouses. How does a courthouse demonstrate its recognition of the grand jury’s importance? And...