The Civil Justice Research Initiative explores, through interdisciplinary, academically-based and independent research, how the civil justice system can be made more available to everyone seeking relief.

  • 94
    Rank of the united States among 113 countries in “accessibility and affordability of civil justice.”
  • 100Million+
    Number of people in the United States living with civil justice problems, many involving basic human needs like housing, health care and custody of their children.
  • 86
    The percent of the civil legal problems reported by low income Americans for which they received inadequate or no legal help.

  • CIVIL JUSTICE NEWS

    Stunning Drop in Federal Plaintiffs’ Win Rate is Complete Mystery

    According to a new study, the winning rate for plaintiffs in civil litigation in federal courts mysteriously declined between 1985 and 1995, from about 70 percent to 30 percent.

  • EVENTS

    What’s Happening in Federal Court?

    The inaugural symposium of the Civil Justice Research Initiative at Berkeley Law brought together leading legal scholars and social scientists from around the country to share their research and discuss the legal process in federal courts. See event photos >

  • CIVIL JUSTICE RESEARCH

    National Conference of State Courts, The Landscape of Civil Justice Litigation in State Courts

    The NCSC undertook a study entitled The Landscape of Civil Litigation in State Courts to document case characteristics and outcomes in civil cases disposed in state courts.