Halloran & Sage Attorney Richard Tynan recently participated in a program sponsored by The National Center for State Courts’ International Visitors Education Program (IVEP) which oriented a visiting Korean Judiciary Delegation to U.S. State Courts.
The Korean delegation had several goals:
To observe jury trials;
To engage in discussions regarding job responsibilities/division of labor in state courts;
To engage in discussions regarding the use of oral arguments and proceedings, how judges preside over jury trials, and details regarding trial procedures;
To participate in a tour of U.S. courts and observe their workings.
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea has recently been conducting judicial reforms to promote greater use of oral argument and proceedings during trials. It is the Court’s opinion that oral arguments will provide a more accurate version of the truth, with lively discussions more apt to protect the parties’ rights and liberties.
In addition, Korea has recently adopted a jury system. Members of the Korean judiciary must therefore become accustomed to oral arguments and proceedings. Until now, trial procedures relied heavily on written affidavits. As the United States has been a model for trial procedures and jurisprudence, the Korean judges and officials gained invaluable experience and knowledge.
Richard’s experiences offered an interesting perspective to the Korean Delegation as he has tried in excess of one hundred cases through to a jury’s verdict and has litigated countless others.