On January 12, the Standing Committee for the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project submitted its Final Report and Recommendations to the Minnesota Supreme Court. This submission was in accordance with an October 2022 order that amended rules governing the project. The court had tasked the committee with delivering a final report, including recommendations and potential improvements.
The Supreme Court initiated the Pilot Project to determine if qualified and supervised paraprofessionals could enhance access to justice by providing legal advice and appearing in court for certain cases. An Evaluation Subcommittee was formed to assess progress, focusing on increasing litigant representation, improving court efficiency, and promoting sustainability.
Currently, 33 applicants have been approved to participate. Among them, five are authorized to handle family law cases involving child abuse or domestic violence, excluding sexual assault cases. Four of these individuals are also permitted to work on Order for Protection and Harassment Restraining Order cases.
No complaints were filed against participants during the project.
Key data from the report shows that paraprofessionals managed 2,312 matters throughout the project. Of these cases, 58% (1,331) were resolved outside of court. Paraprofessionals operated across 47 counties in Minnesota, which covers more than half of the state's 87 counties. Housing cases accounted for 81% (1,870) of all reported matters, while family law cases made up 19% (442).
The report offers several recommendations to the Supreme Court: making the Pilot Project a permanent program within the Judicial Branch; expanding eligibility for paraprofessionals to advise and represent clients in additional case types; maintaining attorney supervision requirements; and upholding current education and work experience standards.
The Committee concluded that "the Pilot Project has had a positive impact" and demonstrated that legal paraprofessionals can effectively deliver quality services. It also acknowledged contributions from various partners who supported the project's launch and evaluation efforts. The pilot is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2024. The full report is available through the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project.