Opinion
Opinion Delivered April 17, 2003
Since the January term of 1837, the official texts of the opinions of the Supreme Court of Arkansas have been published in the Arkansas Reports, which now number 352 volumes. The published decisions of the Arkansas Court of Appeals have been published since the fall term of 1979, first in volumes 266-271 of the Arkansas Reports, and subsequently in the Arkansas Appellate Reports, which extend at present to 81 volumes.
During recent years, Internet use has had a major impact on the research methods of attorneys and the practice of law in Arkansas. The headnoted official opinion texts from both appellate courts have been posted on the Arkansas Judiciary Home Page (http://courts.state.ar.us/). Judges and attorneys alike have come to rely increasingly on the electronic version of the law reports.
In light of current trends as well as budget constraints, the Supreme Court invites comment from bench and bar on the future of the Arkansas Reports and the Arkansas Appellate Reports. Many attorneys have informally expressed their attachment to the printed series of Arkansas Advance Reports and the hardbound volumes. Others have indicated a preference for the electronic medium. The Supreme Court welcomes discussion of how best to serve the legal profession while keeping faith with the tradition of nearly two centuries of official law reporting.
Comments should be sent by July 1, 2003, to Leslie W. Steen, Clerk; Arkansas Supreme Court; Justice Building, Suite 130; 625 Marshall Street; Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.