Senate Resolution No. 6368
BY: Senator HASSELL-THOMPSON
APPLAUDING and approving the foregoing steps that
have been taken by the chief judge and the judiciary
to institute an ongoing program with respect to
civil legal services in the State of New York
WHEREAS, Millions of New Yorkers annually find themselves having to
go to court and to navigate our complex court system; and
WHEREAS, The fair administration of justice requires that every
person who must use the courts have access to adequate legal
representation; and
WHEREAS, For such universal access to be a reality, there is need
for a comprehensive commitment of bench, bar and community to assure
that (i) there is an ongoing process of identifying the extent and
nature of unmet civil legal service needs, especially where fundamental
human needs are concerned or the matter involves society's most
vulnerable members, including the elderly, children, struggling
families, people with disabilities and abuse victims; and (ii) the New
York State Legislature and the Governor are periodically apprised of
those needs that are unmet; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature finds the chief judge of New
York has committed himself annually to preside over public hearings
across the state, in collaboration with the presiding justices of each
judicial department, the chief administrator of the courts and the
president of the New York State Bar Association, to assess the extent
and nature of unmet civil legal services needs; and
WHEREAS, The chief judge has appointed a task force, the Task Force
to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York, made up of
distinguished New Yorkers representing the courts, civil legal services
and pro bono providers, bar associations and bar foundations,
government, law schools, business and the not-for-profit community to
assist him in recommending statewide priorities, defining the types of
legal matters in which civil legal services are most needed, advocating
for expanded services, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of
existing programs, gathering and distributing information about
programs, strategies and technological approaches that have proven
successful, and issuing guidelines or best practices to help providers;
and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
applaud and approve the foregoing steps that have been taken by the
chief judge and the judiciary to institute an ongoing program that will
bring the State of New York closer to the ideal of equal access to civil
justice; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body requests the chief judge
annually report to the governor and the legislature concerning the
findings of his statewide hearings and the work of the Task Force to
Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York, with recommendations
to address gaps in available resources to meet the need for civil legal
services in the State of New York.
