The 2013 Court Technology Conference, to be held in Baltimore September 17-19, will feature a full track on the use of technology to assist in court access for the self-represented.

Session titles and descriptions are:

What do Litigants Expect?

Two national experts will describe what litigant portals do, and what other supporting technological strategies are needed. Most court websites now offer links to forms, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and suggestions for additional resources. How do these offerings compare to pro se parties’ expectations?

What Do Self-Represented Litigants Need?

Current court portals for self-represented litigants are just a start, and they typically focus on case initiation. Learn what else litigants need from portals and what organizational strategies are necessary to run a litigant portal properly. How can technology help pro se parties manage their cases to a successful conclusion?

Successful SRL Portals

Explore three current litigant portals in California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. See how they are both different and the same. How are they succeeding in providing on-demand support to pro se parties? Learn the plans these court leaders have for future improvements to their portals.

Risks, Challenges, and Benefits of SRL portals?

Litigant portals are not easy websites to build or maintain. Three experts will facilitate a peer-to-peer discussion about what technologies support these capabilities and how to solve typical problems. All are welcome to participate in this roundtable conversation: we want to hear about your experiences with your court’s portal.

Superb Self-Help in Other Countries

Other countries are leading the way when it comes to litigant portals. Learn about the innovative portal projects in the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Canada. Can they be models for ours? What features are relevant for America’s pro se litigants?

What’s the Implementation Roadmap?

The benchmark for great litigant portals is rising quickly. If courts are to build and maintain them successfully, many implementation issues must be identified and solved.

SRL 2023

Think beyond the current “art of the possible”: three thought leaders will discuss what self-represented litigants might need in ten years. How will their demands on the court evolve? What technological capabilities are required to meet those demands? The future may surprise and delight you (or dismay and alarm you).

For SRLs, What’s the Big Idea?

A national expert will facilitate a peer-to-peer discussion that reviews the entire track with the goal of culling the key, recurring ideas that courts should remember, consider priorities, and act upon. Participants will also discuss methods for continuing the conversation about litigant portals after the conference.

Speakers/faculty include Bonnie Hough (CA), Judge Dina Fine (MA), John Greacen (himself), Glenn Rawdon (LSC), Tom Clarke (NCSC), Susan Ledray (MN), Snorri Ogata (Orange county CA), Craig Burlingame (MA)  and myself.  We are working hard to turn this into a powerful and helpful series of sessions. 

Please do encourage your tech and leadership folks to come to learn more about access issues and the potential of technology.  Maybe this can be the launching of more national networking on technology for access to justice.