During 1995-96, the total caseload in the trial courts continued a trend of many years of increase, growing by over 2%. The combined filings of criminal, civil, chancery, juvenile and probate cases rose to an all-time high of 184,120. The increases occurred in all categories of cases except probate, with the largest increases represented by chancery and juvenile cases. It is interesting to note that despite the fact that the number of trial judges in the state has grown from 70 to 107 in the last ten years, the number of filings per judge has actually risen from 1724 in 1985-86 to 1737 in 1994-95.

Arkansas trial courts also terminated 176,569 cases in 1995-96, a record high and an increase from 169,679 terminations in 1994-95. Despite the increase in terminations, the number of cases pending rose to 160,240, an increase of some 5% over 1994-95.

This steady growth in caseload increase of the past several years has produced some delay problems around the state. To deal with the problem, the Judicial Council has studied the need for additional trial judgeships in 1997. One additional judgeship in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which has the state's heaviest caseload per judge in the state, will be presented to the 1997 General Assembly. Another judgeship in the 4th Judicial Circuit, which represents one of the areas of fastest population growth in the state will also be presented. Finally, the Council will request approval to extend the term of the Chancellor-at-Large position, which serves the whole state in cases on exchange.