Access to Justice Issues Coming to a Head & a Broader Perspective
As if we needed more confirmation that there is an access to justice crisis in our nation, there seems to be more press coverage about the subject than ever.
I wonder if because the journalists are taking up the issue so vehemently (presumably because the public cares about the issue, or at least should care), will the lawmakers follow suit — will they hear us?
Today, this story ran in New York — For More and More Low-Income New Yorkers, Civil Legal Services Are Just Out of Reach.
Last week, out of Baltimore– At 100th anniversary, Md. Legal Aid seeing record caseload.
In Nebraska — More Nebraskans need legal aid services
In Phoenix — Lawyers say increased use of do-it-yourself legal services risky
From the New York Times– Legal Assistance in Civil Cases Under Growing Threat
From Center of Public Integrity — HUD cuts to devastate mortgage counseling agencies across nation
From HuffPost — Could More Public-Interest Lawyers in D.C. Help Prevent Domestic Tragedies?
You get my point. I only hope that some viable solutions are found created.
Looking more broadly, a similar public debate about the desperate need for legal aid funding and access-to-justice solutions is stirring in the U.K., Ireland, Lebanon, Laos and other countries.
Here are few of the recent headlines from around the world:
U.K. — Will legal aid changes limit access to justice?, Legal aid threatened by coalition plans
Lebanon — Lack of state-funded legal aid hampers justice
Laos — Laos needs help developing legal aid
Ghana — Legal Aid Scheme urged to seek for further support
Tanzania — CJ identifies flaws in Constitution
Interesting.
So, here are a couple of questions I have… Can we look abroad for solutions to our access to justice crisis? How, if at all, does our access to justice crisis affect other countries’ justice issues?
Thoughts?