Updates
A2J Updates
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September 2025
Dear Commissioners and Friends of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, I’m excited to share highlights from a busy and productive August and early September. In this Update, you’ll find news about the Commission’s recent activities—including the Executive...
Debt Collection Lawsuits Are Rising. Here’s What to Do to Fight Back
Below is the full text of a NYT article from 09/12/2025. - By Ann Carrns States are seeing an increase in debt collection lawsuits, which can lead to drastic financial consequences for consumers. Collection lawsuits — filed by businesses or debt collectors when...
August 2025
Dear Commissioners and Friends of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, I hope you are all enjoying a restful, rejuvenating summer. It’s hard to believe it’s already the middle of August —before long, we’ll be kicking off a new Commission year! Planning for...
June 2025
Dear Commissioners and friends of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission: Apologies for getting this newsletter out a bit late this month - there’s been lots going on and I am excited to tell you all about it! Leadership...
A2J in the News
Majority of Americans find justice system unfair, new survey says
Below is the full text of a ABAJournal article from 04/14/2026. - By Amanda Robert Most Americans continue to be deeply skeptical about the fairness of the justice system, according to a recent survey by Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit organization focusing on...
Courtroom5 Launches The LAW Accelerator, a Structured Program to Help Self-Represented Litigants Navigate Civil Court
Below is the full text of a LawSites blog post from 04/08/2026. - By Bob Ambrogi It is estimated that more than 75 percent of civil litigants in U.S. state courts have no legal representation. In eviction proceedings, the figure exceeds 90 percent. For decades, the...
More than 7,000 ICE arrests in Massachusetts so far under Trump
Below is the full text of a wbur article from 04/02/2026. - By Simón Rios Immigration arrests in Massachusetts skyrocketed over the first 15 months of the Trump administration, representing a nearly fivefold increase compared to a similar period at the end of...
House lawmakers send bill to Senate on restricting ICE from Mass. courthouses
Below is the full text of a wbur article from 03/26/26. - By Chris Van Buskirk Massachusetts House lawmakers passed legislation 134-21 Wednesday to ban warrantless civil immigration arrests in courthouses, bar local law enforcement from asking about immigration status...
Consumer debt collection cases spike 60% in two years in Mass. courts
Below is the full text of a GBH article from 03/19/2026. - By Liz Neisloss The number of consumer debt cases filed in state courts jumped to 146,000 in 2025, a more than 60% increase from two years ago, according to new data released by the Massachusetts Trial Court....
There were over 600 ICE arrests in Mass. courthouses last year. Here’s where they occurred.
Below is the full text of a GBH article from 03/17/2026. - by Sarah Betancourt Jeanneth’s husband walked into Lynn District Court last September to dispute a minor civil infraction — a light out on his car. As he left his hearing, he video-chatted with Jeanneth....