Atlanta, January 25, 2016 – Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson of the Supreme Court of Georgia
will deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Legislature
Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. in House Chambers at the Capitol.
As head of the judicial branch, the Chief Justice will speak this year about Georgia’s court
system in the 21st century and his vision for the future. Part of that vision includes an historic
change in the types of cases handled by the state’s highest court, as recommended by Governor
Deal’s Commission on Appellate Jurisdiction. Modernizing the court will bring it in line with
other state Supreme Courts, which handle cases that have the greatest implications for the law
and society at large.
“We are no longer living in a 1950s Georgia,” Chief Justice Thompson will say. Litigation has
become more complex, and courts must be equipped to handle an increasingly diverse
population.
“We must be ready to help resolve the disputes of international businesses that are increasingly
locating in our state and capital,” the Chief Justice will say. “We must be armed with qualified,
certified interpreters, promote arbitration as an alternative to costly, courtroom-bound litigation,
ensure that all those who cannot afford lawyers have an avenue toward justice, and be constantly
updating technology with the aim of improving our courts’ efficiency while saving literally
millions of dollars.”
Media will receive an embargoed copy of the speech at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The public can view
the speech live on the Internet by going to www.gpb.org. Media interested in obtaining a live
feed should contact Tiffany Edmonson today at Encompass Digital Media to reserve satellite
time. You can reach Tiffany at 678-421-6826 or tedmonson@encompass.tv.