§ 1-113 Arizona Commission on Access to Justice

A. General Purpose. The Arizona Commission on Access to Justice (ACAJ) is a standing commission of the Arizona Judicial Council. Established by an Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order in 2014, the ACAJ helps serve the important Strategic Agenda goal of expanding and promoting access to justice, particularly in civil litigation in Arizona’s state courts. The ACAJ promotes community and court connections and creates collaborative opportunities to provide those involved in Arizona’s civil justice system with a safe, accessible, trusted, fair, efficient, and meaningful experience to address and resolve disputes. The ACAJ is an information exchange forum and a source of information, education, and training to help enhance and improve Arizona’s civil justice system and the experience of those involved in that system. The ACAJ is collaborative, committed to making a difference, accountable, and eager to innovate and remove barriers to better serve the public. The ACAJ’s work and priorities are set by the Chief Justice in consultation with the chair of the ACAJ.

B. Membership. The ACAJ will include the following members:

1. Two appellate court judges;

2. Two superior court judges;

3. Two limited jurisdiction court judges;

4. Two tribal court justices or judges;

5. One clerk of the superior court;

6. One court administrator from the superior court;

7. One court administrator from a limited jurisdiction court;

8. Two Arizona lawyers in active law practice;

9. Four legal services representatives;

10. One law student at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law or the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

11. One librarian or law librarian;

12. The Administrative Director of the Courts or designee;

13. The Executive Director of the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education or designee;

14. The Executive Director of the State Bar of Arizona or designee;

15. Two public members; and

16. Others at the discretion of the Chief Justice.

C. Terms of Members. The Chief Justice will appoint members for terms of varying lengths to encourage both continuity and advancement of new members and may reappoint members for successive terms.

D. Responsibilities of Members. ACAJ members must attend and actively participate in ACAJ meetings, assist with the administration of ACAJ activities and serve on workgroups as deemed necessary. A member may designate a proxy in the manner provided in ACJA § 1-104(D).

E. Organization. The Chief Justice will appoint a chair and vice-chair of the ACAJ. The chair may appoint workgroups, task forces, or other ACAJ undertakings of both ACAJ members and non-members as necessary to help the ACAJ carry out its responsibilities.

F. Meetings. The ACAJ must meet no less than three times each calendar year. Additional meetings may be held on the call of the chair or by majority vote of ACAJ members. All meetings of the ACAJ must be noticed and open to the public.

1. Quorum. The ACAJ must not conduct business unless a quorum of members is present as defined in ACJA § 1-202.

2. Virtual Attendance (attendance by remote electronic means). The ACAJ chair may designate a meeting as a virtual attendance meeting. Otherwise, ACAJ members may virtually attend meetings with prior approval of the chair. Staff must ensure public access to the virtual meeting.

G. Actions. Approval of a majority of those voting constitutes an action of the ACAJ.

H. Staff. Under the direction of the Chief Justice, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) will provide staff for the ACAJ and, as feasible, may conduct or coordinate research as recommended by the ACAJ.

I. Funding. The ACAJ, with the assistance of the AOC, may seek grant funding from local, state, and national organizations for its expenses of operation, including expert advice and consultations. To the extent funds are allocated by the director of the AOC for this purpose, supreme court funds may also be used to partially or fully fund the ACAJ’s expenses. Adopted by Administrative Order No. 2025-58, effective March 19, 2025. Amended by Administrative Order 2026-90, effective July 8, 2026.