Court Assistance Office Committee

As part of the Idaho Supreme Court’s commitment to ensuring access to justice, the Court Assistance Office Committee does the following:

• Research and study the barriers faced and the needs of those persons of low income or modest means and those choosing to proceed unrepresented by attorneys when accessing the court system;

• Recommend the development of resources and services in those areas of highest need for persons of low income or modest means and those who choose to proceed unrepresented;

• Recommend policies, guidelines, and best practices that further equal and meaningful access to the court for all services provided by the Court Assistance Office for self-represented litigants;

• Evaluate options and make recommendations for the use of technology that increases the accessibility of information and resources to self-represented litigants; improves the efficiency of delivery of services, and maximizes available resources;

• Develop and promulgate simplified court forms for use by self-represented litigants, and incorporate the principles of plain language into forms, interactive form interviews, instructions, and written communication provided by the Court Assistance Office;

• Partner with key stakeholders including the bench, the bar, government, nonprofit organizations and others in the development of resources and services;

• Coordinate with other Supreme Court Committees that have an impact on issues that affect self­represented litigants;

• Examine and consider long term funding strategies to permit development and implementation of Court Assistance Office services.