Washington, DC—Alaska Governor Frank H. Murkowski recently signed a reform bill into law that will open up the legal system for the people of Alaska. The new law, which takes effect on September 14, will increase the jurisdictional limit in many of the state's small claims courts from $7,500 to $10,000, making Alaska's cap one of the highest in the nation.

"With this increase in its small claims dollar limit, Alaska has joined the vanguard of states that provide a user-friendly forum for people to resolve their everyday disputes," says HALT Senior Counsel Thomas M. Gordon. HALT, a national legal consumer group, advocates for small claims jurisdictional increases on a state-by-state basis, with the eventual goal of all states increasing their limits to $20,000.

Small claims courts, which use simplified procedures and require plain language, have tremendous promise as a means of empowering ordinary people to take charge of their own routine legal needs. However, when dollar limits on these courts are too low, many people with simple legal problems find themselves stranded in a legal no-man's land- stuck outside of the system because they have disputes worth more than the previous $7,500 limit, but not worth enough to hire an attorney, whose fee would eat up any money judgment. When the $10,000 limit kicks in, Alaska's limit will be tied for third highest in the nation.

In May, HALT urged Gov. Murkowski to expand access to justice for Alaskans by signing House Bill 227, which proposed the jurisdictional limit increase. HALT also provided the governor with copies of its 2004 Small Claims Report Card, which was released in May. Alaska received a "C" grade in the report card, which graded each state on the accessibility and user-friendliness of its small claims courts.

Founded in 1978, HALT—An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization dedicated to helping all Americans handle their legal affairs simply, affordably and equitably. HALT pursues an ambitious education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and accountability and reduce costs in the civil justice system. Please visit www.halt.org for more information.