There is a new timely article on the new Washington State Limited Legal Technician Rule.  Here is the table of contents:

INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………….75

I. THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE CRISIS……………………………………..78

II. THE WASHINGTON STATE LLLT RULE …………………………..91

A.    The LLLT Rule Background and Debate ……………..91
B.    APR 28: The Text and Decision …………………………111
C.    Implementation    of    APR    28 ……………………………….. 116

III. THE LLLT RULE: MEANINGFUL JUSTICE, BUT ALSO EQUAL         JUSTICE?………………………………………118

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………128

Particularly interesting and useful are the discussion of the history of the Rule, at pp 91-111, and the detailed description of the Rule as adopted, at pp 111-116, referencing pp 99-100.

It should be noted that several steps need to be taken before limited legal technicians actually provide services in Washington.  These include the establishment of the Board, the setting up of the examination, and the putting into place of rules, that must themselves be approved by the state Supreme Court.  Particularly important, the Board must recommend practice areas for approval by the Court, meaning that the question as to what areas of law will be covered is still up for grabs.

However, none of this should undercut the importance of the step, and the extent to which it has stimulated discussion and progress in other jurisdictions.  The article, with its thoroughness and general support for the concept will play an important role in this critical ongiong progress.