Category Archives: Forms

Some Observations on the Newly Updated Justice Index

Posted on November 27, 2014 by richardzorza

The National Center for Access to Justice recently put in place a number of corrections offered by 21 states to the Justice Index, so its time to take a look and see what we learn. The most important point is … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Justice Index, Legal Aid, LEP, Plain Language, Self-Help Services | Comments Off on Some Observations on the Newly Updated Justice Index

Suggestions for an Expansive and Popular Definition of “Civil Legal Aid”

Posted on April 7, 2014 by richardzorza

Given that on Tuesday April the 8th there is an invitational event at the White House described as “White House Forum on Increasing Access to Justice,” it seems a good time for reflections on how best and most effectively to … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications Strategy, Forms, Legal Aid, Self-Help Services | 5 Comments

Very Important Communications Research Released

Posted on November 21, 2013 by richardzorza

This is one of the most important posts I have ever written.  I am honored to be authorized to post the communications research conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Torrance Group on civil legal aid and access to justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Funding, Legal Aid, LSC, Self-Help Services, Simplification, Systematic Change | Tagged | 15 Comments

Two Annoucements — TIG and a Forms Webinar

Posted on November 18, 2013 by richardzorza

Here is information for the two events taken from their announcements: Forms Webinar: The Self-Represented Litigation Network is presenting a webinar on forms on Dec 5. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/426879791 This webinar features a look at forms … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, LSC, Meetings, Mobile Technology, Technology, Triage | Comments Off on Two Annoucements — TIG and a Forms Webinar

Thoughts on the LSC TIG Solicitation

Posted on February 21, 2013 by richardzorza

The LSC Technology Grants solicitation is out, with short letters of intent due March 18.  While applications must be made by existing LSC grantees, there is great openness to cooperative grants in which access to justice partners, including courts, are … Continue reading →

Posted in Document Assembly, Forms, Law Schools, Legal Aid, LSC, Metrics, Pro Bono, Software Developers, Technology, Triage | 1 Comment

Claudia Johnson on Plain Language Resources

Posted on January 7, 2013 by richardzorza

Two new Plain Language Resources for Courts and Access to Justice Initiatives In November 2012, the Maryland Access to Justice Commission released a plain plain language guide specifically for those writing instructions and materials for court users. The guide is … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Plain Language | Comments Off on Claudia Johnson on Plain Language Resources

New Access Brief

Posted on January 4, 2013 by richardzorza

The Center on Court Access to Justice for All, with which I am affiliated, has just released its second Access Brief, on Forms and Document assembly. Given that this Brief has the imprimatur of the National Center for State Courts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Document Assembly, Forms, Self-Help Services | Comments Off on New Access Brief

Victory in Texas

Posted on November 15, 2012 by richardzorza

This says is all (from the Texas Supreme Court Media Advisory):  COURT SUBMITS PRO SE DIVORCE FORMS FOR COMMENT

  The Texas Supreme Court has approved for comment self-directed forms intended for uncontested divorces for couples without children or real property.

The … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Forms | Tagged | 2 Comments

A Big Step for Pro Se Forms — Supreme Court Access to Justice

Posted on September 28, 2012 by richardzorza

As reported by the ABA Journal and the AP (in Seattle Times here), on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted cert in two self-represented cases.  And, as the ABA Journal detailed “One was written in longhand, in pencil, by an inmate … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Self-Help Services, Supreme Court | Comments Off on A Big Step for Pro Se Forms — Supreme Court Access to Justice

Telling the Online Forms Story — NY DIY Video

Posted on August 7, 2012 by richardzorza

The New York Courts have long been a leader in the creative integration and promotion of online forms and document assembly.  They call them DIY Forms. Here is a great video now up on YouTube. It shows people why the … Continue reading →

Posted in Document Assembly, Forms, Technology | Tagged | 1 Comment

Did You Know Court Forms are a Funny Topic?

Posted on June 21, 2012 by richardzorza

I read, and got permission to post, this hysterical article from the Austin Lawyer. Entre Nous  —  Family Form Foes Fight Fiercely By Claude Ducloux, Hill, Ducloux, Carnes & de la Garza As a board-certified bar groupie who, by virtue … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Simplification | 1 Comment

Plain Language and LEP — Resource Site

Posted on June 18, 2012 by richardzorza

In all the talk about LEP and plain language, this site has tended to sit under the radar.  This great resource site includes a wide range of model plain language informational sheets, including non-English information.  WriteClearly.org includes informational materials, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, LEP | 1 Comment

Claudia Johnson on “A Tale of Two Bars”

Posted on April 23, 2012 by richardzorza

So, this blog has shared information on the debate that ensued in Texas, when the Supreme Court moved to simplified family law forms. https://accesstojustice.net/2012/01/25/texas-supreme-court-moves-forward-on-forms/. The State Bar has tried to change  the Court’s decision to move towards simplifing the forms … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Funding | 4 Comments

Bloomberg Editorial Board Endorses Forms, Self-Help Services, Unbundling

Posted on March 5, 2012 by richardzorza

The Bloomberg Editorial Board looks at the Texas forms brouhaha and comes out in favor of innovations for access: The Supreme Court of Texas, like courts in dozens of other states and counties, wants to make things easier by providing … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Self-Help Services, Unbundling | Tagged | 3 Comments

Wall Street Journal has Video Report on Texas Forms Fight

Posted on February 24, 2012 by richardzorza

That’s right.  Not only does the Wall Street Journal have an article  (behind a paywall), but now has a video interview with the reporter, covering much of the ground. The general tone seems to be that using the forms without … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms | 1 Comment