OCLA Announces First Counties Certified to Begin Appointing Attorneys for Indigent Tenants (10-6-21)
On October 1, 2021, the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) certified the first 17 counties for appointment of attorneys to represent indigent tenants in unlawful detainer cases. Under RCW 59.18.640, certification is a requirement before courts may entertain unlawful detainer proceedings.
OCLA Press Release Re Certification of Initial RTC Counties– 10-6-21 FINAL
On July 15, 2021, OCLA released the Implementation Plan for the nation’s first statewide law establishing a right to appointment counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings. The right to counsel program (RTC Program) was established by Senate Bill 5160 in the 2021 legislative session. Administration of the program was assigned to OCLA.RTC Contracted Programs and
OCLA Implementation Plan – Right to Counsel for Indigent Tenants
RTC Contracted Programs and Implementation Status By County — 10-15-21
FY 22-23 Office of Civil Legal Aid — COVID-19 Legal Aid Program
The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) announces the availability of $1.5 million in funding for an 18-month Pandemic Educational Legal Assistance Program. The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is below.
NOFA for Pandemic Educational Legal Assistance Final 10-11-21
What People Are Saying About The Need for Emergency COVID-19 Civil Legal Aid
What People Are Saying — 1 Pager
Former Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst and Mariners General Counsel Fred Rivera — The Seattle Times (April 14, 2020)
Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and Former Access to Justice Board Chair Salvador Mungia — The Tacoma News Tribune (June 14, 2020)
Senator Ann Rivers and Representative Monica Stonier — The Columbian (August 30, 2020)
Washington State Supreme Court Justice (and former Chief Justice) Debra Stephens and Access to Justice Board Chair Francis Adewale — The Spokesman-Review (January 20, 2021)
COVID-19 Emergency Civil Legal Aid Program
January 2021 Report to Legislature on OCLA’s Emergency COVID-19 Civil Legal Aid Program
COVID-19 Emergency Civil Legal Aid Program Interim Report 9-2020
OCLA Videos
“… And Justice For All”
Watch the trailer and full video to see how civil legal aid solves problems, gives hope and redeems lives one person at a time.
“… One Person at a Time: Tarra Simmons”
Watch this video of a former civil legal aid client telling how civil legal aid changed her life.
“Civil Legal Aid: The Business Case”
Watch this video of Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer, Brad Smith, explaining why businesses care about civil legal aid and justice for all.
2016 Civil Justice Reinvestment Plan
2015 Civil Legal Needs Study Update Related Materials:
- 2015 Civil Legal Needs Study Update — Final Report
- Civil Legal Needs Study Update — Probability Survey Report (June 2015)
- Whites vs Non Whites Views of Civil Justice System
- Civil Legal Needs Study Update — Technical Paper on Problems Experienced by Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (July 2015)
- Legal Problems of Low-Income LGBTQ Individuals
- 2014 CLNS Survey Questionnaire
- Report of the Civil Legal Needs Study Scoping Group (December 2012)
- Statewide Poverty Demographics and Client Service Capacity
2016 Statewide Civil Legal Aid to Crime Victims Program
Family Law Automated Forms Assembly System (Technology Assisted Forms)
2003 Civil Legal Needs Study
- Washington State Civil Legal Needs Study (9/2003)
- Task Force on Civil Equal Justice Funding, Final Report (5/2004)
- Task Force on Civil Equal Justice Funding, Quantification Analysis (5/2004)
The Office of Civil Legal Aid is required to report biennially on the status of access to the civil justice system for low-income people eligible for state-funded legal aid.
Here Are Some Other Places to Find Information About Civil Legal Aid and Related Services
Washington State
- Washington Supreme Court
- Administrative Office for the Courts
- Board for Judicial Administration
- Office of Public Defense
- Access to Justice Board
- Legal Foundation of Washington
- Equal Justice Coalition
- Alliance for Equal Justice
- lawforWA.org
- WaJusticeNet.org
National