Category Archives: Self-Help Services

Public Welfare Foundation Grants in Access to Justice

Posted on March 9, 2012 by richardzorza

The Public Welfare Foundation has announced two grants for access to justice.  They are being made under its Special Opportunities Fund.  This is how they are described on the Foundations Website. These companion projects are part of a Special Initiative … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Funding, Self-Help Services | 1 Comment

Claudia Johnson on Lay Legal Self-Help Support in the Small Claims Context—A Trend To Watch?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by richardzorza

In health care it is very common that persons who suffer from long term conditions or illness, or go through traumatic experiences, join self help support groups. Doctors often recommend support groups to help persons learn about self care, increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Attorney-Client, Foreclosure, Self-Help Services | 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

SJI Reports Almost $4.7 Million Requested in 45 Self-Represented Litigation Concept Papers

Posted on February 22, 2012 by richardzorza

Here is the language: . . . SJI received 45 Concept Papers totaling $4,695,208 for the recent Strategic Initiatives Grants solicitation for self-represented litigation in the state courts. The Board will meet in April to finalize decisions on both grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, Self-Help Services | Tagged | 1 Comment

Law School for Interpeters – A Great Idea

Posted on February 14, 2012 by richardzorza

South Carolina has a great idea — Law School for Interpreters, as described in their blog. Here is the agenda: Registration and Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Welcome & Overview 8:45 a.m. Pretest 9:00 a.m. “Oh the Places You Can Go and … Continue reading →

Posted in LEP, Self-Help Services | 2 Comments

New Videos Show How to Create Multi-Media Content

Posted on February 13, 2012 by richardzorza

The videos were created by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and are available on NTAP, as well as other locations. Presentations are: How to Record in GoToMeeting and Edit in Movica How to use Audacity to edit a PowerPoint Sound Track … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-Help Services, Technology | Comments Off on New Videos Show How to Create Multi-Media Content

National Justice Corps Application Filed

Posted on February 13, 2012 by richardzorza

Readers of this blog will know that a lot of networking has been going on to create a national application to the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand Justice Corps. I am happy to report that Pro Bono … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, Pro Bono, Self-Help Services, Technology | Comments Off on National Justice Corps Application Filed

Second Judges Journal Article: Towards Best Practices in Complex SRL Cases

Posted on January 31, 2012 by richardzorza

I am happy to announce that the Winter 2012 issue of Judges Journal contains the second of my two post-Turner articles.  Here is a link to the full article.  It is titled: A NEW DAY FOR JUDGES AND THE SELF-REPRESENTED: … Continue reading →

Posted in Judicial Ethics, Self-Help Services | 1 Comment

Carl Reynolds, Texas State Court Administrator, Blogs on Forms Issue

Posted on January 25, 2012 by richardzorza

Carl Reynolds, the Administrator of the Texas Office of Court Administration, has posted a blog post on the state bar’s reaction to the forms issue. It is well worth reading, not only for its substance, but for showing the value … Continue reading →

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New York Times Reports on High School-Based Legal Triage

Posted on January 20, 2012 by richardzorza

The Times has a nice story on how a high school teacher with a law degree runs a clinic at eight high schools, with what looks like brief service and triage. The foundation is based at Mr. Kass’s own school, … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-Help Services, Systematic Change | Tagged | Comments Off on New York Times Reports on High School-Based Legal Triage

New York Access Group Keeps on Moving

Posted on January 19, 2012 by richardzorza

This should inspire us all.  As you know, the NY courts have had a brutal budget year.  Yet they have just issued their 2011 Access Report, showing some great new innovations: The creation of a trilingual DIY (document assembly) form … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Document Assembly, Self-Help Services | Tagged , , | Comments Off on New York Access Group Keeps on Moving

UK Impact of Litigants in Person (SRLs to the US)

Posted on January 19, 2012 by richardzorza

The UK Law Gazette has a good (if anxious) roundup article on the impact of the self-represented on the courts in the UK, with a focus on the likely impact of the looming legal aid cuts.

Posted in Judicial Ethics, Self-Help Services | Tagged | Comments Off on UK Impact of Litigants in Person (SRLs to the US)

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

Exciting Triage Progress at TIG Conference

Posted on January 15, 2012 by richardzorza

I am pleased to report that our sessions at the TIG Conference on Intake, Triage, and Technology were very successful. One session reviewed where we are now, with a focus on how court self-help centers decide who gets what help, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal Aid, Research and Evalation, Self-Help Services, Systematic Change, Technology, Triage | 5 Comments

More Great News from SJI — Request for Concept papers on Self-Represented — Due Date Feb 15

Posted on January 9, 2012 by richardzorza

This, from SJI, speaks for itself — and speaks well. REQUEST FOR CONCEPT PAPERS Self-Represented Litigation in the State Courts SJI is accepting concept papers to address self-represented litigation in the state courts – one of SJI’s new Priority Investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, Self-Help Services | Tagged | 1 Comment