Category Archives: Budget Issues

Roger Smith on Contrast Between British Columbia and UK Legal Aid Cuts Has Valuable Lessons

Posted on October 16, 2014 by richardzorza

I want to draw your attention to a blog post by the UK’s wonderful Roger Smith contrasting the BC and UK approach to cutting, and response to cuts in, legal aid budgets.  His essential point is that the BC cuts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Budget Issues, International Models, Legal Aid, LSC, Technology | 1 Comment

More On Impact of DC Events on Judicial Deference to Congress

Posted on October 13, 2013 by richardzorza

Professor Tribe has pointed out to me, in response to my recent blog post about the possible impact of DC happenings on judicial deference to Congress, that: “. . . deference to Congress isn’t either good or bad in itself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Federal Courts, Supreme Court | Comments Off on More On Impact of DC Events on Judicial Deference to Congress

Will DC Events Impact Judicial Deference to Congress

Posted on October 13, 2013 by richardzorza

There is an interesting article in Politico today about how anger at Congress is increasing in the Federal Judiciary.  The article focuses mainly on how upset the courts are at the financial impact of sequestration and the shutdown on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Federal Courts | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Maryland ATJ Commission Uses Useful Techniques to Report on Economic Benefits of Legal Aid Advocacy

Posted on January 12, 2013 by richardzorza

The Maryland Access to Justice Commission has just released a Report detailing economic benefits to the state of legal aid. As detailed in the press release, the benefits are as follows: Brought $9.9 million in federal dollars into Maryland to … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Domestic Violence, Foreclosure, Legal Aid, Outcome Measures | 1 Comment

Some Thoughts on Posted Comments to the LSC Draft Strategic Plan

Posted on July 14, 2012 by richardzorza

LSC has posted the comments they have received on the Draft Strategic Plan. Overall, the tone is positive.  Here to me are the highlights, focusing perhaps more on areas of disagreement, rather than the many repeated statements of support for … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, LSC, Research and Evalation | 2 Comments

Access to Justice Updates from the President’s 2013 Budget Submission

Posted on February 14, 2012 by richardzorza

Here are the headlines: LSC budget would go back up to $402 million. (LSC press release here) SJI is level-funded at $5,121,000. The Coproration for National and Community Service would get a 1.3% increase, described below by the Chronicle on … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Funding, LSC | Comments Off on Access to Justice Updates from the President’s 2013 Budget Submission

Massachussets Pioneers Economic Benefit Statement

Posted on January 28, 2012 by richardzorza

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (state granting program) has released a 2011 Economic Benefit Statement.  Key language: The work of MLAC-funded legal aid programs substantially boosts the Commonwealth’s economy each year by bringing in tens of millions of federal dollars, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Budget Issues, Funding, IOLTA | Tagged | 1 Comment

California Daily Journal on Costs of Cutting Self-Help Programs

Posted on January 17, 2012 by richardzorza

The (California) Daily Journal, a legal publication, has a good story on the risk that cutting back on self-help services may end up costing more than it saves.  A good article to cite to. Just a few years ago, California … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Court Management, Research and Evalation, Self-Help Services | Tagged | Comments Off on California Daily Journal on Costs of Cutting Self-Help Programs

One Year of Blogging — Some Reflections on the Year in Access to Justice

Posted on December 11, 2011 by richardzorza

Today is the first anniversary of this blog.  306 posts, over 16,000 web views (and maybe the same number of subscriber push views), and counting.  Please celebrate with me by passing the word, and by encouraging folks to use the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Budget Issues, Dept. of Justice, Funding, Legal Aid, LEP, LSC, Metrics, Research and Evalation, Supreme Court, Systematic Change, Technology, This Blog, Triage | 1 Comment

Article on Justice Index in National Law Journal

Posted on December 6, 2011 by richardzorza

David Udell and Cara Anna of the National Center for Access to Justice have an article in the National Law Journal on their proposed National Justice Index.  The core idea: Which states’ courts are in the worst condition? Which, despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Court Management, Metrics, Research and Evalation, SRL Statistics | 1 Comment

Wayne Moore Makes Suggestions for Legal Aid on “How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Services”

Posted on December 2, 2011 by richardzorza

Wayne Moore has responded to the legal aid budget crisis with this insightful and intensely practical memo on how legal aid programs can protect service delivery in a tough time.  I urge all, including those who have been somewhat critical … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Document Assembly, Legal Aid, LSC, Pro Bono, Self-Help Services, Systematic Change, Technology, Unbundling | Comments Off on Wayne Moore Makes Suggestions for Legal Aid on “How to Cut Costs Without Cutting Services”

Making Sure Investments In Courts Are Counter-Cyclical

Posted on August 29, 2011 by richardzorza

As a general matter, its an article of faith among mainstream economists that government spending is counter-cyclical, that is to say by investing more in government (actually anything) during downturns you cause the money to be re-spent, and re-spent again, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Poverty | Comments Off on Making Sure Investments In Courts Are Counter-Cyclical

ABA Boies-Olsen Report On Court Budgets is Out — Goes Beyond Budget Issues

Posted on August 18, 2011 by richardzorza

The David Boies – Theodore Olsen Report is out.  This you will recall, is the ABA project on the need to protect the court system during the funding crisis, and is another initiative bringing together these once (and maybe future) … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Funding, Systematic Change, Technology, Transparency | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Bi-Partisan Support for Senencing Reform and Re-Entry Programs

Posted on August 13, 2011 by richardzorza

The ACLU as a nice report out, highlighting how even the more conservative states are embracing sentencing reform as a way of saving money on incarceration.  It highlights reforms in Texas, Mississippi, Kansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. The NYT … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Criminal Law | Tagged | Comments Off on Bi-Partisan Support for Senencing Reform and Re-Entry Programs

DOJ Posts List of Funding Resorces for Court LEP Improvements

Posted on August 3, 2011 by richardzorza

With the ABA proposed Language Access Standards coming up for ABA approval, it may be worth noting that DOJ has posted a listing of possible funding resources for courts as they move to address LEP issues. The listing is here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Dept. of Justice, Funding, LEP | Comments Off on DOJ Posts List of Funding Resorces for Court LEP Improvements