JFAP's Limited License Proposal

This page documents part of our journey advocating for regulatory reform to improve access to justice in North Carolina. On Jan. 22, 2021, the North Carolina Justice for All Project (JFAP) submitted a proposal to change N.C.G.S. § 84, to allow for a second tier of legal service provider (similar to a nurse practitioner) that would be more affordable to low- and moderate-income North Carolinians. Most people are unable to afford a lawyer when they find themselves in need of civil legal help, and this can result in harsh consequences for those forced to figure out the court system alone.

This proposal was formally presented to both the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina State Bar in January 2021, coinciding with the release of North Carolina's 2021 Civil Legal Needs Assessment. This assessment underscored the necessity for an additional level of legal service providers. Within this page, you'll discover links to our 2021 proposal, alongside meeting videos and minutes from the 2020-2022 Regulatory Subcommittee, of which we were active members. Included is the comprehensive 2020-2022 Regulatory Subcommittee Final Report, which endorsed the concept of limited licensing. In response to the lack of action by the NC State Bar on these recommendations, you'll also find a separate page linked here. This page contains our 2023 Legislative Proposal and letters of endorsement from esteemed organizations including the US Department of Justice and the American Bar Foundation.