Access to Justice Commissions
Statewide Access to Justice Commissions (or their equivalent) have been created in many states across the country as a strategy for developing and implementing initiatives designed to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for low-income people. Although the work of these groups varies from state-to-state there are a broad range of issues on which they can be found to be involved.
Areas of focus of Access to Justice Commissions include: developing strategic plans for the overall statewide legal services delivery system, identifying and assessing current and future civil legal services needs of low-income persons fostering the development of statewide integrated civil legal services delivery systems, increasing resources and funding for access to justice in civil matters, ensuring efficient use of resources, and developing and implementing other initiatives designed to expand civil access to justice.
Members and staff of Access to Justice Commissions have a critical role in ensuring that pro bono is an essential element of fully integrated legal services delivery systems. Extensive resources and information can be found at this site and elsewhere that will be of assistance in helping to accomplish this important goal. These include:
The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and ABA Center for Pro Bono
A national conference for all leaders and staff of the civil legal services community and its supporters and advocates. A special program is held at this conference for Access to Justice Commission members and staff.
Access to Justice Support Project
News, documents and related information about the work of Access to Justice Commissions can be found here.
State policies that address pro bono can contribute to the expansion of pro bono and the improvement of access to justice systems. Click this link for information about policies such as pro bono ethical rules, rules crediting pro bono service to mandatory CLE requirements, mandatory pro bono reporting and more.
Natural and other disasters create special circumstances requiring prompt responses, unique collaborations and innovative programming. Access to Justice Commissions are uniquely situated to help facilitate these efforts.
