21st Century Law—Guiding Principles

The expectations and needs of clients, potential clients and others who use the legal system should be at the center of the delivery of legal services and its regulation.

To meet client needs and facilitate access to justice, innovation should be encouraged in how legal services are ethically delivered and by whom.

The legal services delivery system should help clients find the kind of legal help and information they need when they need it.

Optimal access to justice for all requires that those who provide legal services reflect the diversity of the population they serve.

Mechanisms should be developed to assure ongoing identification of and effective responses to changes.

The rules upon which regulation of legal services rest should continue to be based on enduring principles of professional ethics and protection of the public but should provide practical guidance responsive to the changing environment and the emergence of nontraditional delivery methods and providers.

Legal education for lawyers and others authorized to provide legal assistance should include futureā€oriented skills, knowledge and experiential learning, and continue during the full career.