UC Law symposium tackles ‘Access to Justice’ issues in our community

It may surprise many that unlike in criminal justice matters there is no right to representation by an attorney in civil court proceedings.

A 2015 report from the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Task Force on Access to Justice noted that Ohio courts are filled with individuals unable to secure legal representation in civil matters and are left with no choice but to navigate an unfamiliar, complex court system alone. 

The UC College of Law and Hamilton County Clerk of Courts hosted a half-day symposium, Oct. 3, to highlight some solutions to the access to justice gap many residents who can’t afford an attorney face when dealing with civil matters. The symposium and the access to justice work it hopes to advance was featured by local television stations, Fox 19 and Local 12 News.

The Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court is among the solutions to addressing access to justice concerns locally.

The Help Center assists individuals without legal representation access the court system by providing education, information and limited legal advice It is a partnership between UC Law and Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. The center assists 10,000 clients annually with housing issues such as landlord-tenant matters, but also by providing advice on debt, garnishments, small claims matters, collecting a judgment and other financial matters.

“Fighting for access to justice is what we attorneys are called to do and it is what we are taught to do in buildings like this as young law students,” Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh told participants of the symposium held at UC Law. “It is what we are here today to recommit ourselves to do.”

“In public office, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution," said Parikh. "When past government officials have created the conditions for injustice intentionally or with willful disregard for the consequences of their actions, it is the responsibility of those who come after to deliberately disassemble those practices, policies, and procedures of injustice.”

Michael Whiteman, interim UC Law dean, told participants the Help Center is celebrating its 5th year anniversary. It’s a partnership that allows UC Law to offer its expertise to the community while also helping to train budding lawyers.

“The self-help center represents our ability to give law students an invaluable experience in understanding what it is like to be an individual without legal training encountering our legal system,” Whiteman explained. 

The fear, frustration and desperation that many people face when they encounter our legal system isn’t lost on students training to become lawyers.

“Our students learn how important access to justice is, especially for those who can not afford their own attorney or simply do not know what their rights are,” said Whiteman. “Allowing our students to experience this while helping others is so meaningful and will help make these future lawyers champions of providing everyone in our community with quality access to justice.”

Learn more about the Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court online.