Court-based self-help centers: national survey findings, recommendations & best practices
Court-based self-help centers provide millions of Americans involved in civil cases with essential legal information, procedural guidance, and referrals. These centers can improve overall court efficiency and ensure litigants are better prepared.
Who should read this?
- Court administrators & IT leaders: See how courts around the country are using self-help centers and learn about the benefits and challenges
- Judges & lawyers: Explore how self-help centers can help civil litigants prepare by explaining processes, providing language assistance, and offering referrals
- Court staff: Understand how trained staff can help fuel the success of self-help centers and ultimately help save time and money
Why this guide matters
Our national survey with the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice emphasizes the growing demand for self-help services, the impact of technology, and the importance of sustainable funding. It outlines how these centers can expand access to justice and better serve diverse communities.
Estimated report reading time: 45 minutes or longer
Key considerations for self-help centers
Rising demand for services
Nearly all self-help centers report that demand exceeds capacity, with staffing and funding limitations being major challenges to expansion.
Technology enhances access
Self-help centers increasingly use remote services like phone, chat, and video conferencing to reach underserved populations, although digital literacy and internet access can be barriers for some.
Language and disability access is vital
Many centers provide accommodations for individuals with limited English proficiency and disabilities, using bilingual staff, interpretation services, and accessibility tools.
Efficiency gains for your court
Well-supported self-help centers reduce burdens on court staff by improving the quality of legal filings, decreasing reliance on clerks, and preparing litigants.
Sustainable funding, staffing key for success
To meet increasing demand, self-help centers need stable funding, investment in trained staff, and data collection to demonstrate program impact.
Self-help centers by the numbers
Number of states using or developing self-help centers.
of states have had self-help centers operational for over five years.
of states have had self-help centers operational for over 10 years.
of self-help centers offer assistance with more than three types of cases.
Self-help center FAQs
Get our self-help center insights and recommendations
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Self-represented litigants
New approaches to court services assist courts with the growing number of users without legal counsel.