In short, the legal firm is representing a client in a lawsuit against a big company for toxic waste pollution. The company is accused of not properly cleaning up the pollution and harming the environment. The legal firm is arguing that the company should be held accountable and pay for the damage they caused. The justice system in America is not providing enough help for people who can’t afford lawyers. Only about 20% of the legal needs of low-income Americans are being met. This means that many people are not getting the legal assistance they need. This is a big problem, and we need to find better ways to help people get the legal help they need. There are some ideas about using technology and other methods to improve access to legal help, but there is still a long way to go. Many people who are not poor enough to get free legal help still can’t afford a lawyer. Even families in the struggling lower-middle class have a hard time paying for legal help. Many people end up representing themselves in court because they can’t afford a lawyer. In Florida, 80% of divorce cases involve at least one person representing themselves. In California, 80-85% of people in legal cases are representing themselves. In Canada, 88% of people with legal problems choose to solve them without a lawyer. And in the UK, 84% of small businesses handle their legal issues without a lawyer. Many people in family court cases don’t have a lawyer to help them. In Phoenix, Arizona, 60 percent of cases have no lawyers, and in New York City, 91 percent of people in child support cases and 99 percent of tenants in eviction cases don’t have lawyers. Many people in other parts of the country also don’t have lawyers in family law cases. To help people without lawyers, some courts have set up self-help centers with information and resources. These centers serve millions of people every year, mostly those with limited resources. Many low-income Americans can access the internet and use technology, but not everyone has access. Public libraries and librarians can help those who need assistance with online services. The national legal aid community has been investing in technology through grants to help people who can’t afford lawyers. They have created things like mobile apps, websites, and software to make it easier for people to get legal help. For example, there are websites in every state that provide legal information and forms, and a software called LawHelpInteractive helps people create legal documents on their own. These tools have helped millions of people get the legal help they need. Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has invested over $1.2 million in projects using technology to support pro bono efforts. This includes websites and tools that make it easier for lawyers to volunteer for pro bono cases and help clients. One example is the revamping of massprobono.org, which allows volunteers to find and sign up for pro bono opportunities and access training and support. Another example is online intake, which allows people to apply for legal assistance online at any time. These efforts are starting to show good results. In Illinois, a program in Chicago saw a big increase in cases handled after using a new system. In Michigan, a website and self-help centers helped people with legal issues, especially in divorce cases. In New York, a program using special software made it easier for people without a lawyer to fill out court forms, saving time for court staff and making the process smoother for everyone involved. Florida’s legal aid and pro bono programs have been using technology to help people access justice. The Florida Bar Foundation has been supporting these programs by providing them with web-based case management systems and conducting a statewide technology inventory. They have also been funding staff attendance at national legal aid technology conferences to keep up with the latest technology projects. The Florida Justice Technology Center (FJTC) was launched in 2015 to help people in Florida get access to legal help using technology. They are funded by the Florida Bar Foundation and are working on creating a statewide online portal to connect people with legal information and resources. They are also part of a global effort to improve access to justice, with projects like A2J Author and online advocacy simulations for self-represented litigants being recognized internationally. Rechtwijzer is an online platform for resolving disputes. It was launched in 2014 in The Netherlands to help people with divorce-related issues. The platform is updated and supported by HiiL and Modria. It involves legal aid organizations, courts, and other partners to make sure it meets the needs of its users. Using technology is seen as a key part of making sure everyone can access legal help when they need it, even if they can’t afford a lawyer. The Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice conducted a study that found many people in Florida don’t have access to the legal help they need. The study looked at similar studies in other states and found that this is a problem across the United States. The Legal Services Corporation also found that millions of people in the U.S. have incomes that qualify them for legal aid. In Florida, a single person with an annual income of $14,713 or less, or a family of four with an annual income of $30,313 or less, may qualify for legal aid. Many people in the U.S., including seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans, may also qualify for legal aid. America’s struggling lower-middle-class faces significant challenges, with 55% of employees reporting that legal issues affect their work. Many workers spend time at work and take days off to deal with legal problems. The legal profession needs to adapt to meet changing needs, and there is a significant unmet need for legal aid. Many people represent themselves in legal matters, and mobile technology is increasingly important for accessing legal information. Legal Services Corporation provides grants to improve access to justice through technology. Organizations like CARPLS use technology to help people with legal issues, like divorce, by providing information, advice, and preparing legal documents. Michigan Legal Help uses a website to help people represent themselves in court, and it has been successful in expediting the legal process. A2J Author is a community site that helps create online legal resources. These technology initiatives are making it easier for people to navigate the legal system. There are websites like CourtHelp and LawHelpNY that provide legal help for people who can’t afford a lawyer. They have DIY forms and programs to help with different types of cases. There are also organizations in Florida and Illinois working to make it easier to get legal help online. These are different organizations and competitions that use technology to help people access legal services. They are trying to make it easier for everyone to get the legal help they need, no matter where they are or what time it is. Some of the organizations have won awards for their work, and some were created by the same people who made systems for eBay and PayPal to resolve disputes. It’s all about using technology to make justice more accessible for everyone.
Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/can-technology-bridge-the-justice-gap/
Leave a Reply