New Supreme Court Commission to Tackle Legal Deserts — But Public Won't Be Able to Watch Online

Court leaders say expanding access to justice is a priority. Critics question why the first meeting won't be livestreamed.

The North Carolina Supreme Court has launched a new commission charged with addressing one of the state's most significant legal access problems: the growing number of counties where residents struggle to find legal representation.

The newly created Practice Innovation Commission will hold its first meeting on June 5 at the North Carolina State Bar headquarters in Raleigh. According to the court system, the commission was formed to study ways to expand access to legal services, particularly in "legal deserts" — counties with fewer than one attorney per 1,000 residents.

Court officials say 48 of North Carolina's 100 counties now meet that definition.

Yet despite the commission's mission of expanding access and despite the judiciary's repeated emphasis on transparency, court officials confirmed the public will not be able to watch the inaugural meeting online.

"There are no plans to livestream this event," North Carolina Judicial Branch Communications Projects Manager Christopher Mears wrote in an email response to questions from WCAB News.

The decision raises questions about public access to discussions that could ultimately shape how legal services are delivered throughout North Carolina.

The commission's work could have far-reaching implications. According to the Supreme Court announcement, members will examine alternative licensing models used in other states, evaluate the role of paralegals and paraprofessionals, and consider whether regulatory changes could help address unmet legal needs while protecting consumers.

Senior Associate Justice Anita Earls, who will serve as co-chair, described the effort as critical to improving access to justice.

"I am grateful to the stakeholders who are willing to work with us on this vitally important effort to improve access to justice," Earls said in the court's announcement.

Earls is up for re-election this year and faces Republican Sarah Stevens, who's a current state representative.

Justice Phil Berger Jr., who will also co-chair the commission, said North Carolina has an opportunity to rethink traditional pathways into the legal profession.

"The old models were built for a different era, and I look forward to exploring how we can open more doors to the legal profession without compromising the quality of services," Berger said.

The commission's membership includes judges, appellate court representatives, prosecutors, defense advocates, legal educators, practicing attorneys, State Bar representatives, and advocates involved in access-to-justice initiatives.

Notably, the first meeting will occur in conjunction with the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, an organization whose stated mission is to "overcome barriers to justice and empower North Carolinians to meet legal needs through leadership, collaboration and problem-solving."

The çown website highlights the importance of transparency and accessibility in the court system.

"As our Supreme Court commemorates its 200th anniversary, it is a wonderful opportunity to think about how far our courts have come in our effort to be transparent, fair, and accessible to every North Carolinian," the commission states on its website.

The organization also cites significant unmet legal needs across the state. According to information published by the commission, more than 2 million North Carolinians qualify for legal aid services, while 86% of civil legal needs among low-income residents go unmet.

Court officials have not publicly explained why the inaugural meeting will not be livestreamed.

The decision stands in contrast to a growing trend among state and local government bodies to broadcast meetings online, allowing residents who cannot travel to Raleigh an opportunity to observe public discussions and policy development in real time.

For residents of the state's legal deserts — the very communities the commission aims to help — attending a weekday meeting in Raleigh may not be practical. Without a livestream, citizens must rely on official summaries, media coverage, or public records requests to learn what was discussed.

After being informed there would be no livestream, WCAB News urged court officials to reconsider.

"Our audience would appreciate it if a statewide commission would livestream it and all future events," this reporter wrote in response.

As the commission begins examining possible changes to legal licensing and service delivery in North Carolina, one question remains unanswered: if expanding access is the goal, why limit access to the conversation itself?

Practice Innovation Commission Members

• Justice Anita Earls, Co-Chair

• Justice Phil Berger Jr., Co-Chair

• John Arrowood

• Chris Freeman

• Judge Ed Wilson

• Judge Scott Ussery

• Mary Pollard

• Mike Waters

• Dean Zak Kramer

• Marcus Gadson

• Larissa Mañón

• Jeff Kelly

• John Leidy

• Julian Wright

• Rob Harrington

• Alicia Mitchell-Mercer

The commission is expected to develop recommendations regarding legal-service delivery and potential regulatory reforms for consideration by North Carolina's legal community and court system.

According to a 2023report, the 48 North Carolina counties qualifying as legal deserts, often in rural and agricultural areas, include Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Bertie, Bladen, Camden, Caswell, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Columbus, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Graham, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jackson, Jones, Macon, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Montgomery, Northampton, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Person, Polk, Richmond, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Swain, Tyrrell, Warren, and Washington.