Three line chart on the percent of tort trials concluded by type of jurisdiction in U.S. district courts.
For diversity of citizenship cases, the percentage of tort trials concluded in U.S. district courts began at 64% in 1970 and fluctuated with a high of 67% as it decreased to 62% in 1981. Then the percentage climbed, reaching a high of 75% in 1998, before decreasing to 66% in 2003.
For Federal questions, the percentage of tort trials concluded in U.S. district courts began at 19% in 1970 and rose to 26% in 1985. After 1985, the percentage decreased to a low of 15% in 1991. Then it fluctuated with a high of 22% as it increased to 19% in 2003.
For U.S. government as defendant, the percentage of tort trials concluded by type of jurisdiction in U.S. district courts began at 10% in 1970 and fluctuated with a low of 9% as it increased to 15% in 1981. Then the percentage fell to 9% in 2001, before increasing to 15% in 2003.