Missouri Chief Justice Zel Fischer talked abouta new rulein his 2019 State of the Judiciary address. Starting in 2020, the rule will allow retired lawyers to bypass Missouri’s enrollment fees if they provide free legal counsel to people in need.
Fischer said in his address that the legal system needs to do more to provide equal access to civil justice for all – regardless of people’s ability to pay for a lawyer.
The new rule aims to meet the legal needs of thousands of people in Missouri who can’t afford a lawyer.
Dan Wichmer is the executive director of Legal Services of Southern Missouri, a not-for-profit legal aid organization that serves 43 counties. His organization will work with attorneys under the new rule.
He says when people can’t afford a lawyer, they are often un-represented or try to represent themselves, which ultimately slows down the courts.
Wichmer says Legal Services of Southern Missouri already works with some volunteer attorneys, but it still can’t meet the demand.
Last year, they received 8,000 applications but could only take 2,700.
“It’s a matter of people being aware of the rule and then understanding what impact a few hours in a year would make in somebody’s life. I mean, it’s a huge difference.”
Thenew rule waiving annual enrollment feesonly applies to lawyers who agree to provide pro bono legal services and don’t practice law elsewhere.
Chief Justice Fischer said in his address “a legal system that serves only the well-to-do is neither justice for all – nor justice at all.”
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