IAALS Launches the Uncomplicated Courts Initiative to Redesign the Justice Journey for All
A national blueprint to simplify high-volume court processes, integrate legal help, and build people-centered systems
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, today announced the launch of the Uncomplicated Courts Initiative, a bold national effort to fundamentally redesign how people move through high-volume civil cases. At a time when millions of Americans face high-stakes legal issues without a lawyer—and with financial security, housing, or livelihood on the line—IAALS is charting a path toward a simpler, more navigable court experience that meets people where they are.
For too many, entering the court system feels like being dropped into a maze with no map. Processes are opaque, paperwork is confusing, and basic guidance is inaccessible. A single misstep can derail a case entirely. These barriers don’t just create frustration; they lead to unjust outcomes that disproportionately harm those without legal representation. The Uncomplicated Courts Initiative confronts this crisis head-on, charting a comprehensive redesign rooted in clarity, coordination, and human-centered innovation.
“The justice system was never built with the modern court user in mind, and today that user is overwhelmingly self-represented, particularly in these high-volume cases,” said Danielle Kalil, project lead and IAALS’ Director of Civil Justice and the Judiciary. “This initiative reimagines the courts for the people they exist to serve. When we simplify the path, we protect dignity, improve outcomes, and restore trust.”
The initiative will deliver a replicable blueprint for courts nationwide, centered on three transformative strategies:
1. Court Process Simplification
IAALS places process redesign at the core of reform by untangling complex procedures, removing unnecessary steps, and creating transparent pathways that anyone can follow. By building clarity into the system itself, courts can reduce burdens on staff, limit procedural errors, and create improved outcomes for all users.
2. Strategically Targeted Legal Help
When processes are clear, legal support can be deployed where it is needed most. Rather than fielding basic navigation questions, legal professionals, allied legal professionals, and community navigators can focus on the complex legal issues that require expertise, boosting efficiency and impact.
3. Purpose-Built, User-Focused Technology
The initiative promotes modern, intuitive technology tools aligned with redesigned processes, which will help litigants understand their rights, complete required steps, and resolve their disputes. Technology becomes an ally only when it is designed for real users and real courts.
"Justice should serve people, not confuse them," said Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (Ret.) of the Texas Supreme Court. “Uncomplicated Courts is about removing needless complexity so people can resolve their disputes and protect their rights even if they cannot find a lawyer."
The Uncomplicated Courts Initiative will unite leaders from courts, legal aid, technology, and policy to identify and test the most promising models already in development around the country. IAALS will pilot solutions in partner jurisdictions, refine them through real-world application, and ultimately package them into a coordinated suite of services that any court can adopt—regardless of size, budget, or geography.
This initiative builds on a growing national recognition that access to justice requires more than tools; it demands transformation. The pandemic proved that courts can innovate under pressure. IAALS is seizing this momentum to move from temporary fixes to lasting redesign. With so much great work already happening to achieve this goal around the country, this project will move our collective efforts forward in a way that is comprehensive, scalable, and implementable.
Through Uncomplicated Courts, IAALS aims to shift mindsets, bridge silos, and empower every court—and every person—to navigate the justice journey with confidence. Because a fair system isn’t one that offers help only to those who can afford it. It’s one that makes the path clear to all who walk it.
The State Justice Institute is providing funding support for the project, and the National Center for State Courts is operating as a subgrantee on the project. IAALS has also formed an advisory committee to help guide the project as it progresses.
