Goals
The West Virginia Access to Justice Commission will hold six regional public forums between August and November 2011 to discuss access to justice barriers in West Virginia. Information gathered from the hearings will be used to conduct a needs assessment regarding civil legal representation in West Virginia. The Commission will use that information to devise a strategic plan to eliminate barriers to the justice system and work with the citizens of the state.
The Commission’s goals are to
- Develop an objective and accurate understanding of the practical problems West Virginians face in using the legal system;
- Devise and oversee a strategic plan for developing and integrating the delivery of services to meet such needs;
- Involve the State Bar and the judiciary in expanding access to justice (including encouraging broader pro bono programs, developing self-represented litigant programs, etc.);
- Promote and foster coordination with other agencies and organizations in West Virginia;
- Assist in developing and providing technical and other support to attorneys, courts, and other agencies involved in the program; and
- Recommend changes in existing laws, rules, and regulations to enhance meaningful access to justice in West Virginia.