The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission provides collaborative leadership to create solutions and resources that address and eliminate barriers to justice for all. As a result, people who cannot afford an attorney are left to handle a variety of legal issues on their own. In response to this growing problem, the Tennessee Supreme Court made access to justice its number one strategic priority and formally announced their Access to Justice Initiative in December 2008. The Access to Justice Commission was created by the Supreme Court to develop a strategic plan for improving access to justice in Tennessee that includes education of the public, identification of priorities to meet the need of improved access to justice, and recommendations to the Supreme Court of projects and programs the Commission determines to be necessary and appropriate for enhancing access to justice in Tennessee. The first strategic plan was unveiled in 2010, and the Commission presented its second strategic plan in the spring of 2012. The Commission has five working committees: The Self-Represented Litigants Committee, The Education Committee, The Public Awareness Committee, The Pro Bono Committee, The Faith-Based Committee.
