Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
People who go it alone in the court system can get a little extra help from the internet, thanks to a new website launched by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
The Virginia Judicial System Court Self-Help Website, http://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/, reportedly provides neutral legal information as a public service on common topics of interest for self-represented litigants. Topics include traffic tickets, divorce, and landlord-tenant issues.
The website features glossaries of legal terms used in the district and circuit courts and instructions for routine processes. The goal is to make the courts more accessible for all citizens, the court said in a news release.
A project of the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, the website addresses various case types and organizes information from the state judicial system website and other sources into user-friendly content areas. The site features responsive design that works on computers, smartphones, and tablets, the release said.
Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn, co-chair of the Access to Justice Commission, called the website a “milestone.”
“We believe launching a website for self-represented litigants is a fundamental step toward providing greater and more meaningful access to civil justice in Virginia,” Goodwyn said.
The Supreme Court established the Access to Justice Commission in 2013 with a mission to promote equal access to justice in Virginia, with particular emphasis on the civil legal needs of Virginia residents.
