Designed to facilitate research on and the preparation and presentation of arguments for the national debate topic, this manual summarizes the present state of the judiciary and court reform issues. The volume begins with a collection of articles, statements, and reports that present a general background on the justice system and court reform. Subsequent parts are devoted to articles related to each of the three debate propositions: That the United States should (1) adopt uniform rules governing the criminal investigation procedure of all public law enforcement agencies; (2) establish uniform rules governing the procedures of all civil courts of the nation; and (3) establish uniform rules governing the procedures of all criminal courts in the nations. The manual concludes with a guide to information sources and brief bibliographies of selected additional readings and available government publications. (HTH)