News & Updates

The Texas Supreme Court is expanding access to justice by approving programs that allow professionals who aren't attorneys to provide limited legal services to low-income individuals. These new rules, crucial for those struggling to afford legal help, are expected to take effect on December 1.

Eight U.S. states have adopted informal domestic relations trials to simplify divorce cases, especially for self-represented litigants. These trials streamline procedures, allow direct evidence submission, and enhance fairness, reducing court backlog and improving access to justice.

Although many navigate the legal system without representation, their lack of counsel shouldn't compromise their access to justice. While not all self-help materials are created equally, courts can implement certain key principles to empower self-represented litigants to navigate proceedings with confidence.

Navigating divorce as a family can be challenging, but child-centered approaches prioritize their well-being. The Center for Out-of-Court Divorce in Denver, active from 2015 to 2017, emphasized the importance of putting children's interests first.

The North Carolina Justice for All Project is suing the state over restrictions on providing legal advice, aiming to establish nonlawyers' right to offer limited services and spark reform discussions for a fairer legal system.

January is Child-Centered Divorce Awareness Month, emphasizing the need for a more child-centric approach to the separation process. Various organizations, including IAALS, provide resources guiding individuals towards a cooperative divorce process that prioritizes children's well-being for lasting positive outcomes.

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like fee sharing, regulatory requirements, and program costs.

Data from current ALP programs suggests that concerns about consumer protection are largely unfounded. Expanding these programs can deliver competent legal help to countless individuals who lack access to traditional legal services.

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like in-court representation; eligibility, education, and practical training; and testing.

A recent poll revealed that many judges are comfortable with self-represented litigants—but still face significant challenges. IAALS has tools to help judges adapt to changing norms and ensure fairness, fostering a respectful courtroom experience.

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like titles, practice areas, roles and responsibilities, and attorney supervision.

Each state with an allied legal professional program has its own unique qualifications to become licensed, but one thing all programs share is that the requirements are robust. Data shows ALPs competently handle legal tasks and prioritize consumer protection, ultimately increasing access to justice.

In January, the inaugural Legal Paraprofessional Summit brought together active and future legal paraprofessionals, as well as leaders from a number of states, to learn about the different components of each state’s ALP program and the steps Arizona took to create its program.

IAALS submitted this comment to the Colorado Supreme Court in support of the Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals Program. The program would authorize paraprofessionals to provide limited legal services in family law without attorney supervision.

In May 2022, the Minnesota Supreme Court hosted a public hearing on several recommendations to improve the state's Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project. Speakers in favor and opposition of the recommendations came together for constructive dialogue on tangible ways to improve the program and, ultimately, increase access to legal services.

In 2021, Minnesota implemented a legal paraprofessional program to provide increased access to justice for a broader range of low- and modest-income individuals. So far, there are multiple signs that these paraprofessionals bring positive change to the profession.

Under many states’ current regulatory framework, a lawyer is the only option when it comes to addressing legal issues. Fortunately, however, a number of states are looking beyond lawyers—to limited licensed paraprofessionals, lay advocates, court navigators, and other types of allied legal professionals—in order to close the justice gap. And that number is growing.  

Throughout 2020, we saw just about every aspect of the legal profession move from in-person to virtual services. There have been a number of horror stories but also plenty of success stories, in which technology helped decrease court backlogs and increased access to the courts. So where does this leave us, and how do we move forward?

Earlier this year, Arizona began training people to give limited legal advice on civil matters stemming from domestic violence. These advocates, the first of their kind in the state, are learning to provide legal advice on topics such as protective orders, divorce, child custody, consumer protection, and housing.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned to operate almost wholly online—something that many thought was impossible. However, while this move has brought with it a number of positive effects, it has also exposed a digital divide that must be addressed in order for there to be equity in our justice system.