| The Self-Help Web
Center (SHWC) is a help desk located on the 6th floor of
the Daley Center. The SHWC is designed to serve as a starting
point for litigants who must navigate an unfamiliar and
complex court system on their own.
The SHWC has three internet enabled computer workstations
that provide individuals of all technical skill levels access
to user friendly web-based tools and legal resources created
by Illinois Legal Aid Online. Illinois Legal Aid Online's
resources provide visitors with a better understanding of
their legal issue and the court's procedural requirements.
In addition, students from Chicago-Kent College of Law are
available to help visitors utilize the wealth of online
legal information available.
Self-Help Web Center Services
Using Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO): ILAO is one
of the premier online resources for litigants who are trying
to solve legal issues on their own. ILAO provides users
with information for over twenty areas of the law and often
guides users step-by-step through the court's procedural
process. ILAO also maintains a regularly updated webpage
of Chicago legal aid services and Daley Center helpdesks.
Document Assembly: A2J Interviews are available
to SHWC users. A2J Author is a promising new tool that allows
self-represented litigants fill out forms through a step-by-step
interface, which when completed produces a filable court
form.
Looking up Case Information: SHWC visitors can use
the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's website
to veiew and print case information.
Finding Representation: SHWC also directs litigants
to free or low cost legal aid attorneys and private attorneys
in their area.
Answering General Questions: Many self-represented
litigants find the courhose environment highly intimidating.
The SHWC helps this group by serving as a general information
desk, providing directions and a friendly face as individuals
navigate an unfamiliar system.
Hours for the Self-Help Web Center are Monday through Friday,
8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Volunteers
Chicago-Kent students act as facilitators at SHWC, helping
self-represented litigants utilize the online tools and
resources available through the web. The Center for Access
to Justice & Technology has teamed with
The Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) to recruit student
volunteers to staff the Self-Help Web Center. The Self-Help
Web Center provides valuable, real-life experience for law
students to promote public interest law, volunteerism, and
pro bono work. The volunteer effort at the Web Center teaches
students early in their legal careers the value of using
their skills to provide assistance to indigent people. The
hours accumulated by each volunteer can be applied to the
Chicago-Kent
Certificate of Service, which is award to law students
that complete 50 hours or more of community service. More
information about SHWC can be accessed through these training
slides.
The Self-Help Web Center is the result of close collaboration
between Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook
County; the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County;
and, Chicago-Kent College of Law's Center for Access to
Justice and Technology.
For more information on volunteering, contact:
Michael Hoffman
Self-Help Web Center Student Supervisor
|
