Access to Justice
Contrary to popular belief, people are not guaranteed access to an attorney when they encounter civil legal issues. As a result, people who cannot afford an attorney are left to handle a variety of legal issues on their own.
In response to this growing problem, the Tennessee Supreme Court made access to justice its number one strategic priority and formally announced their Access to Justice Initiative in December 2008.
In April 2009, the Supreme Court formed the 10-member Access to Justice Commission.
2018 Pro Bono Report
2017 Pro Bono Report
2016 Pro Bono Report
2015 Pro Bono Report
2014 Pro Bono Report
2013 Pro Bono Report
2012 Pro Bono Report
2020 Strategic Plan
2018 Strategic Plan
2016 Strategic Plan
2014 Strategic Plan
2012 Strategic Plan
2010 Strategic Plan
September 23, 2020
Since the coronavirus pandemic struck in mid-March, the laws and regulations surrounding residential evictions have been changing quickly, leaving judicial staff, policymakers, and social...
September 17, 2020
Each September 17, the nation celebrates Constitution and Citizenship Day. The day commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 and also celebrates those who have...
September 8, 2020
The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) will honor Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark with the prestigious Janice M. Holder Award for Justice Clark’s leadership in advancing...
August 31, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has broadly impacted American society, but some of its harmful effects have been concentrated on the country’s most vulnerable citizens. For many of those struggling...
August 18, 2020
One hundred years ago, on August 18, 1920, Tennessee legislators voted to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, securing a historic advancement for the rights of women. This...
July 30, 2020
Today the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission released its 2020 Strategic Plan, setting goals for the Commission to strive to meet over the next two years. The Strategic Plan...
July 24, 2020
Faith leaders, judges, attorneys, and other members of Tennessee’s religious and legal communities gathered online recently to discuss ways to work together and expand access to justice in the state...
June 26, 2020
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts recently awarded over $337,000 in grants from the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (PEMF) and the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) of...
June 16, 2020
The latest edition of Tennessee Court Talk focuses on trends and issues facing self-represented litigants, or pro se litigants who head to court without an attorney. Across the country,...
April 28, 2020
The Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) recently partnered with the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission (ATJ) to bring its annual conference to Nashville. The national conference...
Justice for All Website
As part of the Supreme Court's Access to Justice initiative, the Court has launched a website with forms, information and other resources for people who need legal assistance and attorneys and community members who wish to volunteer. Click the button above or visit JusticeForAllTN.com.
Contact
For more information about the Acess to Justice program, please contact:
Anne-Louise Wirthlin
Access to Justice Coordinator
615-741-2687
anne.louise.wirthlin@tncourts.gov