Category Archives: Systematic Change

Court Simplification — Steps to Reduce Costs and Intrustiveness of Family Investigators — An Interesting Pioneer Step By the Colorado Supreme Court

Posted on April 22, 2011 by richardzorza

As reported by the Colorado Bar’s Legal Connection Blog, the Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice has modified, effective April 2011, the Directive on Child and Family Investigations, Chief Justice Directive 04-08. As the blog summarizes the changes they will: “Establish … Continue reading →

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From Russia for Justice — Alternative Models for Access to Justice In Draft Bill

Posted on April 19, 2011 by richardzorza

Whether it is a message about universality, yet another underlining of how out of step we are in the US, but the Russian Ministry of Justice, we hear from the Access to Justice Blog, has published a draft law on … Continue reading →

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Do We Have Too High a Tolerance for Error in the Justice System?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by richardzorza

One plane pops a hole, no one is seriously hurt, and, as there should be, there’s saturation media coverage, immediate inspections of a portion of the fleet, and deep soul searching about our preventive systems. But DNA exonerations suggest that … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Domestic Violence, Research and Evalation, Systematic Change, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Computer Analysis of Politicians Press Releases — A Model for Court Transcipt Analysis?

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

A recent Harvard study, reported in the Washington Post, used computer analysis tools to deconstruct how Senators used their press releases.  In addition to the categories of use they were expecting, they found something they were not;  the researcher, Prof … Continue reading →

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Simplification — NYT Article on Suggested Process

Posted on April 6, 2011 by richardzorza

Simple article in NYT on how to make processes easier.  While aimed at the private sector, the lessons may be helpful to those trying to make forms simpler, and the processes of courts simpler to navigate. The simple solution for … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Argument in Civil Gideon/Civil Contempt Case – Sufficiency of SRL Procedures Addressed in SC for First Time

Posted on March 23, 2011 by richardzorza

This may become very important. You can read the full transcript of today’s (March 23, 2011) oral argument on whether there is a right to counsel for those facing contempt incarceration for nonpayment of child support. It is fascinating, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, Self-Help Services, Supreme Court, Systematic Change | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Can We Keep Law One Profession?

Posted on March 22, 2011 by richardzorza

Steve Pearlstein in Sundays Washington Post has a great piece on how the DC law firm now called Howrey collapsed. Bottom line, while the firm was highly innovative, for example replacing the traditional second year summer associate wine, sports, and … Continue reading →

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California Judicial Developments

Posted on March 15, 2011 by richardzorza

It’s hard for me to estimate the likely long term impact of the unhappiness among some California judges, as reported here in the LA Times. At issue is whether the court system should continue to be run centrally by the … Continue reading →

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Int’l ATJ Blog — EU Moves Toward “Collective Redress” Procedures — Ben Kaplan and Nuremberg

Posted on February 25, 2011 by richardzorza

I have put the International Access to Justice Blog on the right menu.  It is compiled by Martin Gramatikov in the Netherlands. Yesterday he posted about the EU Justice Council, which seems like a Council of State AGs for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Systematic Change | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

New Article on National Consensus about Access to Justice

Posted on February 24, 2011 by richardzorza

I thought folks might be interested in my new Judicature article, Access to Justice: The Emerging Consensus and Some Questions and Implications. It will be in the forthcoming Jan-Feb 2011 issue.  Thanks to Judicature, one of my favorite publications, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Legal Aid, Self-Help Services, Systematic Change, Unbundling | Tagged | 2 Comments

Stabilizing IOLTA Funding — Long Term Strategy

Posted on February 9, 2011 by richardzorza

Bloomberg and others are reporting on administration proposals to reduce the burden on the states of the huge accumulated UI debt to the feds that many states are now carrying. This set me thinking about how one long term strategy … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Funding, IOLTA, Systematic Change | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Idea: Jointly-Sponsored Justice System Efficiency and Accessability Awards

Posted on February 7, 2011 by richardzorza

Here is an idea:  We should establish jointly sponsored awards for innovations that increase both efficiency and accessibility in the justice system. To win an award, you would have to demonstrate that a) the innovation saves money, and b) that … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Systematic Change | Tagged | 1 Comment

Justice Laurie Zelon Gets Award –Take a Look at the Powerful and Innovative Elkins Task Force Report on Family Courts in California

Posted on December 16, 2010 by richardzorza

Many of you know Associate Justice Laurie Zelon of the California Court of Appeals. Given how hard she works for access to justice, and how much she contributes, I know hat you will be as pleased as me to hear … Continue reading →

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