The Importance of Funding for the Legal Services Corporation from the Perspective of the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators
This white paper, authored by the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), underscores the critical role that the Legal Services Corporation plays in ensuring equal access to justice for low-income Americans.
It outlines the growing demand for civil legal services, the expanding "justice gap," and the significant strain that underfunded legal aid imposes on state courts, particularly as more litigants appear without legal representation. The paper presents compelling evidence of how legal aid improves outcomes for individuals and delivers broad societal and economic benefits — such as preventing homelessness and domestic violence, reducing court delays, and supporting local economies.
The report concludes with a strong call for Congress to restore and increase LSC funding, emphasizing that the stability of state court systems and the principle of equal justice under law are at stake.