Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and the Alabama Law Foundation (ALF) announced the formal creation of the Access to Justice Commission back on July 19.

The 19-member commission is comprised of citizens from varied backgrounds that share an interest in improving civil justice for the poor and whom are commited to work together to develop ways to better meet the civil legal needs low income residents in Alabama both financially and through improved legal services. These include legal professionals, the business sector, members of the religious community and volunteers. The press release includes the names of all of the members of the commission. According to Chief Justice Cobb, the state currently ranks 51st in spending for legal aid to low income residents.

According to the announcement issued by the ALF (available on Good News in Birmingham), the commission was created through an order issued earlier this year. The commission plans to work toward bringing together organizations that serve low-income Alabamians to maximize current resources available and look for new ways to acquire more funding and resources for low-income individuals who need civil legal services.