Innovations in ProSe: Targeting Pro Se Automated Documents

Targeting Pro Se Automated Documents

Poor Candidates for Automation
Fee-generating (Could get a lawyer cases)
In Chicago, includes many landlord-tenant cases which would not be fee-generating elsewhere
Cases which could be taken contingency
Complications (Should get a lawyer)
Do not want to assist pro se in worsening own position
Examples: divorce involving real estate, pensions

Good Candidates for Automation
High-need, high-volume procedures
Identify by talking with judges, court personnel, legal aid attorneys
Also can look to statewide website search statistics
Court Procedures for which legal representation is rarely sought or required
Name change
Fee waiver/ In Forma Pauperis

Statutory Forms
Common in Illinois, meant to be easy-to-use
Particularly for Estates & Guardianship
Durable Powers of Attorney
Appointment of Standby Guardian
Non-judicial legal issues
Letters to Creditors, Credit Agencies reporting ID theft or disputing items on credit report
Request for Crisis Assistance
Request for Grievance Hearing with Housing Authority

Example: Name Change A2J
Process:
Began with paper forms from Cook County Clerk of Court and from Southern Illinois University law School
When judges in Cook County revised their paper forms in 2008, we worked with them to create an automated “interview” which would map to the new forms.
Questions which arose in the automation then led to modification of the paper form

Example: Name Change A2J
End result:
Clearer form in both automated and paper form
For ease of reading, Judges prefer automated form so much, they have requested public computer terminals for this express purpose.

Example: Name Change A2J Automated Documents can direct a user to the questions relevant to her particular situation, reducing the time it takes to complete a form and aiding comprehension.

Example: Name Change A2J Automated Documents can give a pro se user more information than a paper court form, leading to better comprehension and reducing errors.

Example: Name Change A2J Automated Documents allow a pro se user to present the court with clear, professional-looking typewritten documents. Judges LOVE not having to decipher handwriting!

Innovations in ProSe: Targeting Pro Se Automated Documents

by Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (LSNTAP) on Dec 12, 2008

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Innovations in ProSe: Targeting Pro Se Automated Documents — Presentation Transcript