{"id":71803,"date":"2025-04-03T17:42:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T00:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=71803"},"modified":"2025-04-03T17:42:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T00:42:53","slug":"stanford-law-schools-rhode-center-and-legal-design-lab-publish-a-forward-looking-blueprint-for-expanding-access-to-justice-in-partnership-with-the-superior-court-of-los-angeles-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=71803","title":{"rendered":"STANFORD LAW SCHOOL\u2019S RHODE CENTER AND LEGAL DESIGN LAB PUBLISH A FORWARD-LOOKING BLUEPRINT FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Research Report Details Challenges in Eviction Cases and Recommendations for the Court\u2019s Continued Leadership as an Innovative, Evidence-Based Court\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Stanford Law School\u2019s Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession and Legal Design Lab released a\u00a0groundbreaking diagnostic report\u00a0<\/a>today that outlines a blueprint for creating more innovative, modern, and accessible courts. This report marks a significant milestone in the unique partnership established in January 2024 between the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (the Court – SCLAC) and Stanford Law School. Created in collaboration with court leadership, frontline court staff, and community partners, the findings of the Stanford report demonstrate the Court\u2019s commitment to enhancing the self-represented litigant experience and its dedication to leading in justice innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Superior Court of Los Angeles County is committed to innovative transformation that enhances efficiency, accessibility, and fairness in the justice system for all residents of Los Angeles County,\u201d said Superior Court of Los Angeles County Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II. \u201cThe Court acknowledges the crucial role of accurate and reliable data in promoting innovation and making informed decisions. We appreciate our partners at Stanford Law for identifying areas where we can improve, allowing the Court to better fulfill our mission of providing fair and timely access to all that seek it, regardless of whether or not they have legal representation.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Commitment to Innovation<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n

As the largest trial court in the nation, the Court has helped lead a revolution in how American courts serve the millions of people who navigate the civil justice system. The report showcases how Stanford, in partnership with the Court, is using a wide range of methods\u2014from data analytics to court user surveys\u2014to identify ways the Court can continue to be a leader and innovator among courts.<\/p>\n

\u201cServing a population of over 10 million residents, the Court is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and change by benchmarking ways to make the judiciary more accessible to those seeking justice,\u201d said Superior Court of Los Angeles County Executive Officer\/Clerk of Court David W. Slayton. \u201cThanks in part to the Court\u2019s unique partnership with Stanford Law, we now have an actionable blueprint that will guide Court leadership\u2019s decision making going forward. We would like to thank Stanford Law for lending their invaluable resources to the Court to benefit the residents of Los Angeles County. We also hope that courts across the country can use data from this study to inform how they may better serve their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Combining the Court\u2019s tradition of leadership with Stanford\u2019s deep scholarly and technical expertise, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County-Stanford partnership presents a unique opportunity to design, implement, and rigorously test promising interventions that can improve the delivery of justice and serve as a model for other courts around the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis report is more than just a diagnosis; it is a blueprint for change,\u201d said David Freeman Engstrom, Professor and Co-Director of Stanford\u2019s Rhode Center at Stanford Law School. \u201cWhile courts everywhere face daunting challenges with high-volume civil dockets, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County\u2019s visionary leadership and willingness to innovate, when combined with Stanford\u2019s deep technical expertise, promises to develop new approaches that work. Together, we can create a modernized model court and build a robust evidence base for other courts to follow.<\/p>\n

Eviction Cases as a Start<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n

Over the past year, the Court and Stanford prioritized eviction (unlawful detainer) cases as a first step toward innovation. Eviction lawsuits are vitally important to Angelenos because they protect tenants\u2019 access to stable and safe housing and landlords\u2019 property investments. The Stanford team:<\/p>\n