Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission – Justice is Everyone's Business

Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Releases Annual Report for 2018-2019

What is A2J?

What is A2J?

We are all entitled to justice.

But poverty, physical disability and language barriers are just some of the obstacles that prevent people from gaining full access to all the remedies and relief – in a word, Justice – that our Courts and Government Agencies can provide. The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission is working to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the Justice they deserve.

More about A2J Problems and Solutions

A2J In The Real World

Like many Commissions, we hold meetings, have committees and issue reports. And while all of that can sound just a bit stuffy and distant our work affects - and improves - the lives of real people. It's not always easy to put a face on those people, but read on and we'll tell some stories to try to bring a bit of life to our work.

Access to Lawyers for Crime Victims

Massachusetts has assembled a state-wide Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) team providing free assistance on civil legal issues arising out of violence.

Read about how CLAVC is changing victims' lives

Access to Justice Fellows

Retired attorney "Bats" Wheeler, while working as an Access to Justice Fellow, has made hundreds of “Wills On Wheels" house calls to elderly, disabled and/or low income clients in 41 cities and towns.
Read the rest of Bats' story

Innovative Legal Aid Funding

The voluntary "add-on opt-out" fee to a lawyer's yearly attorney registration has already generated $7.5 million for civil legal aid for low income people.
Read how this fee has helped thousands of families

Civil Appellate Pro Bono Program

The weekly program assists low income, self-represented litigants who are looking for both professional advice and an attorney to take on their appeal pro bono.
Read about the Civil Appellate Pro Bono Program

Who We Are

The Commissioners and Team

Sue Finegan

Sue Finegan

Co-Chair

Justice Ralph Gants

Justice Ralph Gants

Co-Chair

The Full Team

The Full Team

See who else is involved

Latest news

Mar, 16

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 16, 2020

March 16, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

MASSACHUSETTS ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION March 16, 2020 UPDATE Greetings: We want to make sure you are aware that the Massachusetts Trial Court has announced a range of measures to reduce the number of people coming into state courts to take effect on Wednesday, March 18. Please also note that the Trial Courts […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 16, 2020

Mar, 12

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

We hope you are all well. We are closely monitoring the news regarding COVID-19 as it impacts the Commissioners and access to justice issues generally. We will also continue to share general information and news on access to justice matters. MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE March 12, 2020 The Commission’s Activities Highlighted Commissioner Joel […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 12, 2020
Mar, 5

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 5, 2020

March 5, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE March 5, 2020 Upcoming ATJ Commission Meeting Thursday, March 12 from 3-5 pm in the Social Law Library at the Adams Courthouse in Boston Agenda items include: MassLegalAnswersOnline Update MA Legal Resource Finder – Report and Discussion on Updates and Enhancements Technology Tools that Assist in Closing the Justice […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – March 5, 2020

Feb, 13

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – February 13, 2020

February 13, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE February 13, 2020 Highlights from the January 30th Meeting of the ATJ Commission Thank you to the Commissioners and guests who joined us for the most recent meeting of the MA ATJ Commission on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the Adams Courthouse. Highlights and key takeaways from the […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – February 13, 2020
Jan, 28

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE January 28, 2020 Upcoming ATJ Commission Meeting Thursday, January 30 from 3-5 pm in the Social Law Library at the Adams Courthouse in Boston Agenda items include: Online Dispute Resolution Background and Discussion Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Housing Committee Update and Plans Self-Represented Litigants in Land Court Presentation […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – January 28, 2020

Jan, 16

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – January 16, 2020

January 16, 2020 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE January 16, 2020 Upcoming MA ATJ Commission Meeting Thursday, January 30 from 3-5 pm in the Social Law Library at the Adams Courthouse in Boston Agenda items include: Online Dispute Resolution Background and Discussion Self-Represented Litigants in Land Court Presentation and Discussion Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission Housing […]
Read more MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE – January 16, 2020
Dec, 12

MA Access to Justice Commission Update – December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE December 12, 2019 Highlights from the December 3rd Meeting of the ATJ Commission Thank you to the Commissioners and guests who joined us for the most recent meeting of the MA ATJ Commission on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the Adams Courthouse. Highlights and key takeaways from the meeting […]
Read more MA Access to Justice Commission Update – December 12, 2019

Nov, 25

MA Access to Justice Commission Update – November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE November 25, 2019 Upcoming ATJ Commission Meeting Tuesday, December 3 from 3-5 pm in the Social Law Library at the Adams Courthouse in Boston Agenda items include: Justice For All Consumer Debt Pilot Project and Lessons Learned Justice For All Housing Pilot and Lessons Learned Consumer Debt Working […]
Read more MA Access to Justice Commission Update – November 25, 2019
Nov, 1

MA Access to Justice Commission Update – November 1, 2019

November 1, 2019 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE November 1, 2019 Highlights from the October 22nd Meeting of the ATJ Commission Thank you to the Commissioners and guests who joined us for the most recent meeting of the MA ATJ Commission on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at the Adams Courthouse. Highlights and key takeaways from the meeting […]
Read more MA Access to Justice Commission Update – November 1, 2019

Oct, 16

MA Access to Justice Commission Update – October 16, 2019

October 16, 2019 by Mass A2J Commission

MA ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION UPDATE October 16, 2019 Upcoming ATJ Commission Meeting Tuesday, October 22 from 3-5 pm in the Social Law Library at the Adams Courthouse in Boston Agenda items include: Cell Phone Policy Update Presentation and Discussion of the Right to Counsel Principles Virtual Court Service Center Presentation Justice For All […]
Read more MA Access to Justice Commission Update – October 16, 2019

Library

Reports and Other Documents

Recent Commission Reports

Recent Commission Reports

2015-2020

Consumer Debt Pilot Summary Report – published October 31, 2019

Annual Report for 2018-2019

Report of the Cell Phone Working Group on Possession and Use of Cell Phones and Similar Devices in the Courts of Massachusetts – May 2019

Annual Report for 2017-2018

Annual Report for 2016-2017

Access to Attorneys Final Report – published May 19, 2017

Annual Report for 2015-2016

Go to the full Library

Justice is Everyone's Business