PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND CANNOT REPLACE THE ADVICE OF A LAWYER. This page provides legal information and resources only.

The next meeting of the Montana Access to Justice Commission will take place on Friday, March 1st, 2024 from 10:00 to Noon.

The meeting will be held via Zoom video conference (with an option to call in as well).

To enhance the security of the meeting, you must register in advance for this meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvde-vpjoiE9dqy-3AWZfWGXswJCSNYiZR

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Montana Supreme Court established the Access to Justice Commission (ATJC) on May 22, 2012. The purpose of the Montana Access to Justice Commission is to develop, coordinate, and implement initiatives to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters.

CORE VALUES

As members of the Montana Access to Justice Commission, we believe:

ACCESS

Access to justice depends on the availability of affordable legal information and services, including assistance and representation when needed.

Barriers to access to justice must be prevented, removed, or reduced.

Court users should have access to justice through full participation in the judicial process, regardless of their socio-economic status, English language proficiency, cultural background, legal representation status, or other circumstances.

COORDINATION

A coordinated and comprehensive statewide system for delivering legal services must be maintained. The justice system must collaborate with other persons, professions, and organizations to meet the legal and law-related needs of the public.

EDUCATION

Public legal education must be provided to create and sustain an informed and empowered public and to build broad support for access to justice.

Public awareness of the importance of civil legal services is needed to expand justice.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Access to justice requires adequate funding, resources, and support.

Adequate and sustained public and private funding, resources, and support must be provided to assure access to justice for low-and moderate-income and other vulnerable persons.

Member Name Representing Expiration of Term
Justice Beth Baker, Chair Montana Supreme Court Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Ed Bartlett Business/Communications Leader Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Lillian Alvernaz Representative of Native American communities Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Hon. David A. Carter Court of Limited Jurisdiction Judge Term expires: 30-Sep-2026
Rick Cook Clerk of a District Court Term expires: 30-Sep-2026
Hon. Stacie FourStar Montana-Wyoming Tribal Judges Association Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Sen. Wendy McKamey Montana Senate Term expires: 30-Sep-2026
Aimee Grmoljez Business/Communications Leader Term expires: 30-Sep-2026
Hon. Leslie Halligan District Court Judge Term expires: 30-Sep-2026
Kekek Stark Assistant Professor of Law Alexander Blewett III School of Law University of Montana Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Hon. John Kutzman District Court Judge Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Katy Lovell Aging Services Bureau Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Juli Pierce State Bar of Montana Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Margaret Weamer Montana Justice Foundation Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Alison Paul Montana Legal Services Association Term expires: 30-Sep-2025
Olivia Riutta Representative of organizations working with low-income individuals Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Jacob Griffith Attorney General’s Office Term expires: 30-Sep-2024
Rep. Laura Smith Montana House of Representatives Term expires: 30-Sep-2026

Agenda

Materials

Minutes

Informational Brochure

Forum Series Video

Forum Series Report

Forum locations and dates:

Kalispell - Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015

Great Falls - Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015

Billings - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Missoula - Wednesday, April 20, 2016

AF 11-0765

Order - (8-30-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS

Order - (6-30-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS

Addendum to Pilot Report - (6-23-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS

Pilot Report - (5-26-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS

Order on Pilot Project with Guidelines - (8-17-2021) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS

Order - (9-15-2015) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (2-3-2015) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (12-2-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (4-22-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (2-18-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (12-3-2014) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR

Order - (11-26-2014) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR

Order - (11-15-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (7-3-2013) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR

Order - (10-9-2012) IN RE THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (9-18-2012) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

Order - (5-22-2012) IN RE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION

The Access to Justice Commission is proposing a bill to the 2019 Montana Legislature that would use some court filing fees to improve court efficiency and effectiveness by providing legal information and assistance to ordinary Montanans who cannot afford an attorney to help with their civil legal problems.