Overview

Supported by the State Justice Institute, the Legal Desert Problem-Solving project is a dynamic collaboration between NCSC and Innovation for Justice (i4J), aimed at addressing the pressing issue of legal deserts in rural communities across the United States. Over 50 percent of rural counties are classified as legal deserts, where access to legal representation is severely limited due to a lack of attorneys in the area, distance to courthouses, poverty, limited English proficiency, and lack of internet access. This project recognizes that legal deserts exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals in these communities, making it difficult for them to navigate complex legal issues and protect their rights. Through innovative data-driven strategies, the partnership seeks to map legal deserts using advanced GIS technology and identify actionable interventions that address barriers to justice in these communities. By engaging courts through a cohort model, the project will provide comprehensive training and technical assistance to develop tailored solutions that enhance access to justice in underserved jurisdictions. Ultimately, this initiative aims to create a replicable framework that can empower courts nationwide to bridge the justice gap and foster community trust in the legal system.

Project objective

The primary objective of the Legal Desert Problem-Solving project is to develop and implement effective strategies in partnership with cohort courts to address the challenges posed by legal deserts in rural communities, enhancing access to justice for underserved populations. Through a collaborative approach, this project will leverage the expertise of NCSC and Innovation for Justice (i4J) to create a replicable framework that empowers state courts to identify and implement appropriate interventions tailored to their specific legal contexts.

Project timeline

Courts will be admitted to the cohort on a rolling admission process - so apply now! Priority application deadline is November 3, 2025.

Landscape training: Early 2026
Participatory action research and solution identification/prototyping: January - May 2026
Technical assistance in implementing right-sized legal desert Solutions: July 2026 - July 2027

What participants can expect

Virtual landscape training sessions for the cohort offering an expansive review of possible interventions.
A collaborative environment that encourages peer-learning among the state court cohort through regular virtual meetings, with the potential for in-person convenings and site visits.
Participatory action research within cohort jurisdictions, led by Innovation for Justice, to develop a customized legal desert problem-solving action plan for each cohort jurisdiction. Utilizing qualitative research methods and community engagement strategies, i4J will support participating jurisdictions in co-creating solutions, tailored to the needs of individual courts and communities, based on community input and support. The strategies will also build on strengths, opportunities and barriers identified by qualitative and quantitative data from interviews and surveys in the community. Innovation for Justice and NCSC will work in partnership with the cohort jurisdictions and the communities they serve, to ideate and prioritize potential solutions based on feasibility and impact.
Prototype testing of legal desert interventions with cohort courts, validating their potential effectiveness through community feedback and engagement.
Comprehensive training workshops for each participating court, covering best practices and strategies for executing the identified intervention.
Individualized technical assistance for court leadership, helping them navigate project implementation challenges and operational barriers.
Ongoing support, sharing resources, and connecting cohort courts with each other and external experts.

Resources

Apply today