SCR CHAPTER 14
ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
SCR 14.01 Definitions.
(1) In this chapter:
(a) "Commission" means the
commission created under SCR 14.02.
(b) "State bar" means the state bar
of Wisconsin.
SCR
14.02 Creation and Purpose.
(1)
In order to aid the courts in improving the administration of justice by
supporting civil legal services to those who cannot afford them, the State bar
shall create an Access to Justice Commission.
(2)
The mission of the Commission is to develop and encourage means of expanding
access to the civil justice system for unrepresented low income
SCR 14.03 Administration.
(1)
The Commission shall be organized and operated exclusively for law-related
charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
(2)
The Commission shall consist of a 17-member board of directors as follows:
(a)
Five members designated by the supreme court; two of whom shall be affiliated
with a Wisconsin organization that provides legal services to low-income
persons and that is funded by the Legal Services Corporation; and two of whom
shall be affiliated with a Wisconsin organization that provides legal services
to low-income persons and that is not funded by the Legal Services
Corporation. Three of the five designees
shall be public (non-lawyer) members.
(b)
Four members designated by the board of governors of the State bar; one of whom
shall be the chair of the State bar's Legal Assistance Committee, or the
chair's designee.
(c)
One member designated by the dean of the
(d)
One member designated by the dean of the
(e)
One member designated by the board of the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation.
(f)
One member designated by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(g)
One member designated by the President of the Senate.
(h) Three
public (non-lawyer) members designated by the Governor.
(3)
If any person or entity declines to appoint one or more members, the supreme
court shall appoint a member.
(4)
The term of office for each member of the board of directors of the Commission
shall be three years, except that the terms of the initial appointees shall be
as follows:
(a)
Two initial designees of the supreme court, and one initial designee of the
Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the State bar shall serve a one-year
term.
(b)
Two initial designees of the supreme court, and one initial designee of the
Governor, the President of the Senate, and the State bar shall serve a two-year
term.
(c)
The other initial designees shall serve a three-year term.
(5)
The Commission may adopt such governing documents, rules, and procedures as
necessary for the Commission to operate, administer, and manage its affairs in
compliance with this chapter. The
Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to
reimbursement for their expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of
their duties.
SCR 14.04 Funding.
In
accordance with the offer of the State bar, the Commission shall be funded and
staffed by the State bar for at least three years.
SCR 14.05 Reporting.
The
Commission members shall meet with the supreme court annually and shall file a
written annual report with the supreme court and with the executive director of
the State bar on its activities. The
report shall describe the Commission's activities and progress during the prior
12-month period and its goals for the subsequent 12-month period.
SCR 14.06 Review.
Six
months before the State bar's three-year funding ends, the supreme court shall
evaluate the progress made by the Commission toward the goal of better
addressing issues of access to justice in civil legal matters for low-income
residents of Wisconsin and its funding and staffing needs and determine the
continued existence of the Commission.
Adopted Jun 5, 2009.