Yesterday, the Illinois Supreme Court announced changes to Rule 711 that explicitly permit qualified law students and graduates who have not yet been admitted to practice to provide ADR representation starting July 1, 2013. Consistent with previous requirements, law students and graduates will offer legal services with client consent, under attorney supervision. However, the revised rule allows law students and graduates to appear on behalf of clients in court-annexed arbitrations and mediations in Illinois courts and administrative tribunals, and to represent clients in nonlitigation matters. It also reduces the coursework required before applying for permission to provide services. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘access to justice’
Illinois Expands Law Student and Graduate Representation in ADR
Just Court ADR, June 19th, 2013Illinois Rule Changes Increase Opportunities for Legal Representation in ADR
Just Court ADR, June 17th, 2013Illinois rule changes that may increase the availability of counsel for alternative dispute resolution processes take effect in two weeks. After July 1, 2013, it will be easier for lawyers to work with clients on one clearly defined portion of a civil legal matter without taking on other issues or proceedings within the case. Updated forms and procedures streamline representation for clients who wish to retain a lawyer for settlement negotiations only, understanding that the lawyer will not be responsible for taking the case to trial. (more…)
What Does the Transformation of Justice Look Like? British Columbia Has an Answer
Jennifer Shack, June 7th, 2013With the financial crunch that has hit courts, jurisdiction after jurisdiction has asked what ADR’s role should be. Should ADR be the method through which courts can both serve litigants and save money, or is it a financial burden on courts that should be eliminated or privatized? In many courts in the US, the answer has been the latter. This was seen most recently with the closure of Los Angeles County’s ADR program – the largest in the country. As mediators there work to develop a private system to replace services the court once provided, the government of British Columbia is moving in a different direction. There, the eye is on developing integrated administrative systems, including ADR, that would limit use of the courts to those disputes most appropriate for litigation. (more…)
What Does the Loss of Court ADR Mean for Access to Justice?
Jennifer Shack, February 11th, 2013In the past few years, we’ve seen court ADR programs being cut around the country as courts and legislatures balance their dwindling budgets. The latest rumors of closure come from California where, some blogs have reported, mediation programs will be cut across the board in Los Angeles County in June. While the stories out of California appear to be a little more complicated than first reported, the closures throughout the country, combined with cuts to other court services (as they would be in Los Angeles County), bring up two causes of concern: privatization of justice and access to justice. (more…)
Part 2 of 3: Foreclosure Mediation Best Practices
Just Court ADR, March 7th, 2012PRE-MEDIATION SESSION ELEMENTS
Conduct Extensive, Personalized Outreach to Borrowers
Outreach to borrowers is key to getting participation in the program. Most people do not open their mail or answer the phone when they are in foreclosure. For those that do, legal notices should be written in simple language with a clear instruction for what borrowers should do next. Programs should find ways other than mail to help borrowers access mediation programs.
One jurisdiction has dedicated funds for (more…)
