United for Civil Justice for All
The Problem
Justice for all is a value that our society holds dear. Yet, Maryland’s civil justice system does not work for many Marylanders, simply because they cannot afford to hire an attorney. There is no right to an attorney if you cannot afford one in most civil legal matters, unlike criminal matters. But the civil justice system is just as high-stakes, dealing with the legal aspects of life-altering issues like housing, economic security and abuse – and it disproportionately affects the poor and those of modest means as well as people and communities of color. About 40% of all Marylanders cannot afford to meet their basic human needs, let alone hire an attorney. But 75% of that group will likely face at least one civil legal issue every year and 92% of their civil legal issues will get no or inadequate legal help, leaving already vulnerable Marylanders to navigate the complex civil justice system on their own, with dire consequences.
The Maryland Access to Justice Commission exists to break down barriers in the civil justice system to make it accessible, equitable and fair for all Marylanders, not just those who can afford it.
Our Solutions
Serving as the Collective Voice for Civil Justice Reform
A2JC unites leaders and stakeholders to advocate for reforms that advance access, equity and fairness in the civil justice system, before all three branches of government. Our focus is on increasing civil legal aid funding and the right to counsel in civil cases involving human needs.
Amplifying A2J Stories to Drive Impactful Change
A2JC works to shine a bright light on A2J Stories to increase the understanding of the barriers and solutions in the civil justice system. Through our Stories Hub, we promote awareness among decision-makers and the public about how access to justice is integral to ensuring that Marylanders are housed, safe and economically secure.
Creating a Data-Informed Civil Justice System
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it.” The civil justice system is data poor and policy reform in the system is not data-informed. The Data Hub promotes civil justice data collection and analysis; houses first-of-their-kind tools and dashboards; and discusses our efforts to access more civil justice data.
Key Civil Justice Issues
Civil Legal Aid Funding
Organizations that provide vital civil legal services are chronically underfunded, resulting in many Marylanders being turned away from legal services.
Right/Access to Counsel
You can lose your home, child or country – not because you did anything wrong – but because you did not have the legal help you needed. Fairness in the justice system requires access to an attorney.
Affordable Law
30% of Marylanders make too much money to qualify for free legal services, but still cannot afford to pay for basic needs, let alone hire a lawyer at market rate.
Pro Bono
Maryland has an aspirational goal of 50 hours of pro bono service per year, but only about 16% of attorneys in Maryland meet that goal.
Self-Represented Litigants
Most litigants in Maryland courts are navigating their civil legal cases and the courts on their own, without legal help. But law is complex and courts are not equally accessible.
Legal Awareness, Information & Resources
The main reason people do not get civil legal help is because people do not see their life problems as civil legal problems. And even after they do, it is not easy to access quality legal information and helpful resources.
Our Work
Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force 2024 Report
Maryland is only the second state in the country to provide tenants the right to access counsel in eviction proceedings through the Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) law, which is an equitable and cost effective solution to keep Marylanders housed. The ACE Task Force (TF), established under the law, is tasked with holistically reviewing and evaluating the new ACE program; identifying sustainable funding sources; and making recommendations for reform to ensure successful implementation. A2JC delivered the 2024 ACE TF Report on January 1.
Affordable Law Task Force Report
The Affordable Law Task Force is the first coordinated, statewide effort to confront the access to justice crisis of “modest means Marylanders.” While most access to justice efforts focus on the 10% of Marylanders who fall below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL), an additional 28% comprise the United Way’s ALICE Threshold and face this unique predicament: they earn too much to qualify for free legal services, but not enough to hire an attorney at market rate. Without legal representation, their lives can spiral. The ALTF Report lays out the roadmap and recommendations to address the A2J crisis for modest means Marylanders.
Law on the Frontlines Report
Access to quality legal information also equals access to justice. The Law on the Frontlines Project created the first state-wide legal reference curriculum and continuous training program for public library staff in Maryland. Frontlines tackles the blurry line between legal information and advice that can be a barrier to allied legal professionals becoming part of the access to justice solution. The Frontlines Report captures the Project’s 5-year impact.
Maryland Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force Report
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State’s civil justice system—where problems like eviction, debt, abuse, and unemployment must often be resolved—was thrown into disarray. The Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force was a partnership between the AG and A2JC and developed a roadmap for the reform of the whole civil justice system to ensure the State’s most vulnerable remain housed, fed, safe, secure, employed, healthy, and connected to civil justice.
Get Involved
Be the change.
Your donation advances the most effective solutions to ensure all Marylanders get the civil legal help they need. Give today!
Be the impact.
We are always looking for exceptional talent, volunteer your time with A2JC or take a pro bono case!
Be the voice.
Your voice is important in achieving civil justice for all Marylanders, join us!
Stay Up To Date
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