Resolutions

Policy Statements & Resolutions

Resolution 9
In Support of Continued Funding for the Legal Services Corporation Commensurate with Its Vital Role in the Administration of Justice

WHEREAS, equal justice is fundamental to the American system of government under law; and

WHEREAS, the inability to afford legal counsel effectively denies access to justice to individuals in need of legal representation; and

WHEREAS, representation of individuals who cannot afford counsel is essential to the efficient operation of state court systems; and

WHEREAS, Congress created the Legal Services Corporation in 1974 both to provide legal assistance to those unable to afford a lawyer and to serve the ends of justice; and

WHEREAS, since 1995 the restructured Legal Services Corporation has made counsel available for millions of individuals otherwise unable to access our civil justice system for the protection of their rights and the resolution of their disputes; and

WHEREAS, the continued operation of the Legal Services Corporation is essential to the guarantee of equal justice and to the efficient operation of the courts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices expresses appreciation to Congress for its past support and urges continued funding for the Legal Services Corporation at levels sufficient to enable it to continue to fulfill its vital role in ensuring access to the civil justice system.

Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Government Affairs Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at the 25th Midyear Meeting in Tucson, Arizona on January 24, 2002.