NCJ Number
184815
Date Published
May 2000
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of Alaska's Equal Access to Civil Justice Task Force.
Abstract
The report is divided into three sections. First, it presents a summary of the Task Force's prioritized recommendations. Second, it sets forth an overview of the work and history of the Task Force, the legal needs of the poor and Alaska's poverty population and outlines the history of Alaska Legal Services and its funding. The third section contains the various subcommittee findings and Steering Committee/Task Force approved recommendations. The report also contains a request to the Alaska Supreme Court to authorize formation of an Implementation Task Force to put into place the recommendations set forth. The Steering Committee approved and presented to the Task Force approximately 60 specific recommendations, including: (1) development by the Alaska Bar Association of a "Modest Means Program" to provide moderate-income Alaskans access to representation by attorneys who have agreed to charge a reduced hourly rate for their services; (2) increasing rural Alaska Legal Services staff and opening an Alaska Legal Services office with attorneys on staff in every community that maintains an Alaska Superior Court; and (3) establishment of a salaried statewide alternative dispute resolution Coordinator position. Notes, appendixes