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TOWARD IMPROVED LEGAL SERVICE DELIVERY - A LOOK AT FOUR MECHANISMS

NCJ Number
69109
Journal
American Bar Foundation Research Journal Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 277-293
Author(s)
B F CHRISTENSEN
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
DIRECTED TOWARD PEOPLE OF MODERATE MEANS, THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES MECHANISMS TO HELP SUCH PEOPLE FIND HELP WITHIN THE LEGAL PROFESSION FOR THEIR LEGAL PROBLEMS.
Abstract
A LEGAL SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM SHOULD (1) DIAGNOSE LEGAL PROBLEMS, (2) PROVIDE INFORMAITON NECESSARY TO MAKE AN INFORMED SELECTION OF A LAWYER, AND (3) HELP THE PROSPECTIVE CLIENT MAKE INITIAL CONTACT WITH A LAWYER. THE FOUR METHODS FOR BRINGING TOGETHER LAWYERS AND THOSE WITH LEGAL PROBLEMS ARE LAWYER ADVERTISING, SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION, LAWYER DIRECTORIES, AND REFERRAL SERVICES. WHILE EACH MECHANISM ACHIEVES SOME GOALS, A COMBINATION OF METHODS, SUCH AS THAT FOUND IN THE LAWYER REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR, WHICH COMBINES LAWYER DIRECTORY AND LAWYER REFERRAL, IS PROBABLY THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICE TO NEEDY CLIENTS. HOWEVER, BAR ASSOCIATIONS SEEM TO BE THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE LEGAL SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS DUE TO THE BAR'S LACK OF INTEREST AND COMMITMENT. IT IS HOPED THAT THE BAR WOULD PROVIDE THE MODEL AND STANDARDS FOR FUTURE LEGAL SERVICE MECHANISMS.