Access to Justice

• Citation: Vol. 38 No. 1
• Year: 2026

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Vol. 38 Issue 1 Pg. 23

South Carolina Lawyer

Spring, 2026

I Will Assist

Understanding Civil Legal Needs &Bridging the Justice Gap In S.C.

BY HANNAH HONEYCUTT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, S.C. ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION AND OLIVIA S. JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, S.C. BAR FOUNDATION

In 2021, the S.C. Access to Justice Commission, the S.C. Bar. and the NMRS Center on Professionalism at USC School of Law commissioned South Carolinas first-ever Statewide Civil Legal Needs Assessment. The resulting report is both comprehensive and granular, giving us a deeper understanding of the legal needs of low- and moderate-income South Carolinians and how they access (or cant access) our system of justice. Each installment of this column will focus on a key takeaway from the assessment's Executive Summary, in hopes that you will come away better informed about legal needs in South Carolina and what you can do to help.

Key Finding #12: Support for expanded legal services is widespread in South Carolina.

Across the United States, civil legal aid occupies a unique and vital place in the pursuit of justice: it ensures that individuals facing critical life challenges—eviction, domestic violence, loss of income, denial of public benefits, and more—have access to legal help regardless of their ability to pay. The Statewide Civil Legal Needs Assessment demonstrates the importance of civil legal aid for South Carolina, providing ample evidence that a justice system that leaves thousands without representation undermines core principles of access to justice. The last key finding from the study looks to the future of possible solutions, confirming that support for expansion of civil legal aid services is widespread among lawyers and members of the public alike.

Survey findings for the Needs Assessment demonstrated immense support among attorneys in South Carolina for expanding civil legal aid services. Practitioner Survey respondents overwhelmingly indicated that the availability of free or low-cost legal services is necessary to ensure access to justice (90%). They also reported consensus that the current scope of legal aid is insufficient to meet demand—only one quarter thought civil legal services are widely available, more than ninety percent said people in some parts of the state have better access to justice than others, and three-quarters said that it is unfair when one party has a lawyer and the other doesn't. Seventy-five percent said that governments should do more to ensure universal access to justice. When asked what methods they would support to finance more legal services, by far the most selected response was "appropriation of funds by the South Carolina legislature" (92%).

Notably, support for expanding civil legal aid extends far beyond the legal profession.

Ninety-nine percent of Community Survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that everyone deserves to be represented by a lawyer if they have a legal problem. Seventy-three percent said they would pay more in taxes if it meant free legal services would be more widely available.

This alignment of professional and public sentiment underscores a shared recognition that civil legal aid delivers tangible benefits (see Key Finding #2 -It really makes a difference when you have a lawyer). Legal assistance can prevent homelessness, support financial stability, protect families, and reduce burdens on courts and social service systems. When people can secure fair outcomes in critical legal matters, they are better positioned to contribute to their communities and participate fully in civic life.

As South Carolina considers how to address unmet legal needs, the widespread support for expansion of civil legal assistance among both lawyers and the public offers a strong foundation for meaningful investment and innovation. Expanding civil legal aid is not only a reflection of shared values; it is a practical, evidence-based solution to real and pressing problems facing individuals, families, and communities.

Support for expanded legal services is widespread in South Carolina. Here's how you can help expand legal aid services:

Educate: Tell someone about the issues. Send them a copy of the SCATJ Commission's 2023 Legal Needs Assessment or 2021 Justice Gap Report. Talk to your local leaders about the need for civil legal aid.

Volunteer: Take the time to volunteer; contract with legal aid providers around the state; take a case for a low rate or even pro bono.

Donate: Make a donation to one of our legal aid provider partners or to the S.C. Bar Foundation, which makes grants to fund civil legal aid in South Carolina. Only 2% of S.C. attorneys donate to the Foundation annually—your dollars can make a difference! Read the Assessment and explore the data at scaccesstojustice.org /legal-needs.