Home - Civil Justice Research Initiative

Too often, the courthouse doors are closed to those who have suffered serious injuries and violations of their rights. By emphasizing rigorous scholarship and thorough research, the Civil Justice Research Initiative can make a real difference in access to the American justice system.
Dean Erwin ChemerinskyUC Berkeley School of Law

Too often, the courthouse doors are closed to those who have suffered serious injuries and violations of their rights. By emphasizing rigorous scholarship and thorough research, the Civil Justice Research Initiative can make a real difference in access to the American justice system.

Dean Erwin Chemerinsky
UC Berkeley School of Law

Dramatic changes to the civil justice system threaten to undermine our rights as citizens. By documenting these changes and exploring their consequences, the Civil Justice Research Initiative will strengthen civil justice in the United States.
Valerie HansProfessor of Law, Cornell Law School

Dramatic changes to the civil justice system threaten to undermine our rights as citizens. By documenting these changes and exploring their consequences, the Civil Justice Research Initiative will strengthen civil justice in the United States.

Valerie Hans
Professor of Law, Cornell Law School

The fair and impartial administration of justice is the bedrock of our democracy. Without access to courts, the fundamental rights afforded by our Constitution may be stripped away. The work of CJRI will provide judges, lawyers and policymakers a sound basis for decision-making.
Roman M. Silberfeld National Trial Chair, Robins Kaplan LLP

The fair and impartial administration of justice is the bedrock of our democracy. Without access to courts, the fundamental rights afforded by our Constitution may be stripped away. The work of CJRI will provide judges, lawyers and policymakers a sound basis for decision-making.

Roman M. Silberfeld
National Trial Chair, Robins Kaplan LLP

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.

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.

The percent of the civil legal problems reported by low income Americans for which they received inadequate or no legal help.

CIVIL JUSTICE NEWS

Federal Court Records Users Could See $100 Million in Refunds

A proposed settlement would end class action litigation over overcharging for court files. Read the news here.

EVENTS

Conversations on Civil Justice: The Supreme Court and Judicial Review, Friday, September 29, 2023, 1 – 1:30 P.M. Pacific Time (Webinar)

What is the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review? How and why is that power currently being challenged? Please join us for a discussion of the issues with Supreme Court advocate Deepak Gupta of Gupta Wessler and Jennifer Ahearn of the Brennan Center. Supported by a generous gift from the AAJ’s Robert L. Habush Endowment.

CIVIL JUSTICE RESEARCH

Civil Litigation as a Tool in a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence

The Civil Justice Research Initiative recently published a report Civil Litigation as a Tool in a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence, authored by Robert S. Peck, Jonathan Corn, and Sanjana Manjeshwar. Read the paper here.