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.