Leadership to Promote Equal Justice
Resolution 23: Leadership to Promote Equal Justice
WHEREAS, equal justice for all is fundamental to our system of government; and
WHEREAS, this promise of equal justice under law is not realized for individuals and families who have no meaningful access to the justice system; and
WHEREAS, this de facto denial of equal justice has an adverse impact on these individuals, families, and society as a whole, and works to erode public trust and confidence in our system of justice; and
WHEREAS, the Judicial Branch, in our constitutional structure, shoulders primary leadership responsibility to preserve and protect equal justice and take action necessary to ensure access to the justice system for those who face impediments they are unable to surmount on their own; and
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices has, by resolution, provided leadership in improving the administration of justice by encouraging pro bono services in civil matters, supporting the Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Program, and supporting the continued funding of the Legal Services Corporation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference acknowledges that judicial leadership and commitment are essential to ensuring equal access to the justice system and to the achievement — through nationwide effort — of equal justice for all, and encourages individual members in their respective states to establish partnerships with state and local bar organizations, legal service providers, and others to:
- Remove impediments to access to the justice system, including physical, economic, psychological, and language barriers;
- Develop viable and effective plans to establish or increase public funding and support for civil legal services for individuals and families who have no meaningful access to the justice system; and
- Expand the types of assistance available to self-represented litigants, including exploring the role of non-attorneys.
Adopted as proposed by the Access to and Fairness in the Courts Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices in Baltimore, Maryland, at the 24th Midyear Meeting on January 25, 2001.