SURVEY OF THE PUBLIC'S LEGAL NEEDS

• NCJ Number: 48706
• Journal: American Bar Association Journal Volume: 64 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 848-852
• Author(s): B A CURRAN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: FULL REPORT IS CONTAINED IN THE LEGAL NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC - FINAL REPORT OF A NATIONAL SURVEY.

Annotation

LEGAL PROBLEMS OF THE PUBLIC, THE EXTENT OF USE OF LAWYERS' SERVICES AS OPPOSED TO SELF-HELP OR NO ACTION, AND CLIENTS' OPINIONS OF LAWYERS' SERVICES ARE AREAS TREATED FROM THE SURVEY.

Abstract

INSIGHTS DEEMED IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING ARE SUMMARIZED FROM A SURVEY INTO THE PUBLIC'S LEGAL NEEDS, SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION. THE FULL SURVEY REPORT PRESENTS A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF FINDINGS RELATING TO THE PERSONAL, NONBUSINESS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE PUBLIC, THE RESOLUTION OF THOSE PROBLEMS, THE USE OF LAWYERS' SERVICES, CLIENTS' ASSESSMENTS OF LAWYERS' WORK, THE QUALITY OF THE LAWYER-CLIENT EXCHANGE, AND GENERAL OPINIONS AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT LAWYERS, THE COURTS, AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM. TABLES OF SURVEY RESULTS ARE INCLUDED FOR THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: (1) YEARLY INCIDENCE OF SELECTED LEGAL PROBLEMS ESTIMATED FROM THE SURVEY RESULTS; (2) PROBABILITY OF LAWYER USE FOR SELECTED PROBLEMS AND TOTAL NUMBER OF PROBLEMS TAKEN TO LAWYERS, ESTIMATED FROM THE SURVEY RESULTS; (3) OUTCOME OF LAWYER CONSULTATIONS FOR SELECTED PROBLEMS AS PERCEIVED BY CLIENTS; (4) CLIENTS' RATINGS OF LAWYERS ON SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS; AND (5) PROPORTION OF CLIENTS REPORTING OPTIMAL RESULTS AND AVERAGE LAWYER RATING BY PROBLEM ABOUT WHICH THE LAWYER WAS CONSULTED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE INCIDENCE OF LEGAL PROBLEMS IS STRONGLY RELATED TO AGE. THE PREDOMINANT LEGAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS AGE GROUPS ARE INDICATED. THE EXTENT TO WHICH INDIVIDUALS CONSULT LAWYERS IS SHOWN TO VARY WIDELY BY PROBLEM TYPE, RANGING FROM 1 PERCENT OF THE TIME IN JOB DISCRIMINATION MATTERS TO 79 PERCENT FOR ESTATE PLANNING (WILLS). SELF-HELP OR NO ACTION IS THE COURSE PURSUED MORE THAN HALF THE TIME BY PERSONS WHO HAD PROBLEMS IN SETTLEMENT OF A SPOUSE'S ESTATE, CONSUMER PROBLEMS OTHER THAN WAGE GARNISHMENTS, PROBLEMS WITH GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, JOB DISCRIMINATION, AND VIOLATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. CLIENTS' ASSESSMENT OF THEIR LAWYERS WAS SHOWN TO VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE LAWYER WAS CONSULTED. SUPPORTING DATA ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)