Access to Justice

flCCESS TO JUSTICE The Problem: There are a variety of "Barriers" that exist that prevent Access to Justice. Lack of Information Language Barriers Available Time Location Complexity Economic Awareness By the Numbers: Compared to: 1 Private Lawyer per 429 people in general population (not in poverty) 1 Legal Aid per 6,415 people in poverty 68% of people in poverty in- dicate it is 'Not affordable" to bring a case to court. "To the extent that litigants proceeding because cannot afford an attorney. and the outcome of their are without counsel they Roughly one-half of the people who seek help from LSC- funded legal aid providers are being denied service because case is being compromised by lack of representation, equal justice is at risk." of insufficient program resources. Handling Unmet Needs: Legal Aid Pro Bono low Bono Pro Se Legal Reform law School Clinics Self Help Centers Online Assistance Online Assistance: 76.5% 78.4% 13.3%, Somewhat or Somewhat or Somewhat or completely agree completely agree completely agree If legal information was available online, I would use it to educate myself. I would use free I have access to the internet to use online legal legal forms online. resources. Making it Better: An intelligent online interview-based system would do the following: Beginners Slope Intermediate Advanced Slope Slope Provide targeted legal resources including audio, video, and referral information. Self Help tools including automated document assembly and e-filing into the court records system. In-person assistance from a Legal Services organization that will be able to handle the legal situation Provide Automated appropriately. targeted advice based on individual circumstances. Much like the ski slope, each individual with unmet needs can determine their own level of needed assistance, and "get off the lift" at the right time. As users become more experienced, they gain greater confidence and utilize more advanced resources. Is LEGALSERVER" CASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Sources include: "Legal Needs Study 2011", Kansas Legal Services Inc. (www.kansaslegalservices.org) "Leveraging Law Students & Technology to Meet the Needs of Low-Income People", Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2007 "Documenting the Justice Gap in America", Legal Services Corporation, 2009 "Report on Legal Needs Assessment", Colorado Legal Services, 2011 O PS Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1327 N Milwaukee Ave, Floor 3, Chicago, IL 60622 • (773) 782-1021 ext. 107