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DC Mediation & Dispute Resolution Institute
Washington, D.C.
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Breaking Development · February 2026
Access to
Justice
Reformed
A landmark ruling reshapes civil legal services in D.C.
The D.C. Court of Appeals has established a new framework allowing trained nonlawyers to provide supervised civil legal assistance — and mediation is at the center of it.
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Order No. M293-26 · Filed Feb. 5, 2026
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Effective Apr. 6, 2026
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What you need to know: On February 5, 2026, the D.C. Court of Appeals issued Order M293-26, adopting a Community Justice Worker (CJW) program framework. Of approximately 200 public comments received, all but four expressed support. This is the most significant expansion of civil legal access in D.C. in decades — and it names mediation as a core permitted activity.
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01
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Background
Two Years in the Making
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In July 2023, the D.C. Courts established the Civil Legal Regulatory Reform Task Force with a clear mandate: explore how nonlawyers could help close the persistent gap in civil legal representation among low- and middle-income residents. Two years of research and stakeholder engagement produced a landmark result.
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“The empirical evidence strongly supports the conclusion that properly operated CJW programs can provide quality representation.”
— D.C. Court of Appeals, Order M293-26, February 2026
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The Task Force made three primary recommendations — and the Court adopted all three, including the CJW framework, continued study of a Licensed Legal Practitioner program, and encouragement of innovative service models under existing court rules.
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July 2023
Task Force
Established
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July 2025
Report
Completed
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Feb. 5, 2026
Court Order
Issued
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Apr. 6, 2026
New Rule
Takes Effect
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02
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The New Rule Explained
What a Community Justice Worker Can Do
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A CJW is a trained individual — who need not be a licensed attorney — authorized to provide limited civil legal assistance under the supervision of a D.C. Bar member at an eligible nonprofit. Under D.C. App. R. 49(c)(14), CJWs may perform the following:
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✓Advise on legal rights, remedies & defenses
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✓Write, sign & file legal documents
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✓Assist with written discovery
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✓Support clients at depositions
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★Participate in mediation
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★Prepare & execute settlement agreements
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✓Assist in trial preparation
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✓Represent clients in court proceedings
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Not permitted: CJWs may not independently take or defend depositions, or conduct evidentiary hearings or trials on behalf of a client.
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DCMDRI Perspective
Mediation Is Explicitly Named — This Matters for Our Community
Under the new rule, Community Justice Workers are expressly authorized to participate in mediation and to prepare and execute settlement agreements on behalf of clients. This places skilled dispute resolution professionals at the very heart of D.C.'s new access-to-justice framework.
Organizations that already partner with trained mediators and conflict resolution professionals may be uniquely well-positioned to establish CJW programs and expand their community impact beginning this spring.
Learn About Our Training Programs ›
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03
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Protections & Requirements
Accountability Built Into the Framework
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The Court adopted a robust set of safeguards to ensure quality and transparency. Organizations seeking approval must meet every requirement below:
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Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free or low-cost legal services to D.C. residents. |
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Application must detail training plans, supervision structures, complaint procedures, and malpractice insurance coverage. |
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Clients must sign a written informed-consent agreement before any CJW assistance begins. |
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CJWs must prominently disclose their non-Bar status in all written materials and communications. |
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Attorney-client confidentiality extends fully to CJWs, supervising attorneys, and the organization. |
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CJWs are subject to discipline under Rule XI of the D.C. Bar Rules. Disbarred or suspended attorneys may not serve as CJWs. |
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04
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Looking Ahead
What the Court Did Not Do — Yet
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Under Study
Licensed Legal Practitioner (LLP) Program
The Court opted for continued study rather than immediate action on a program allowing nonlawyers to practice more independently. A separate order will set the framework for further review.
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Encouraged
Innovative Models Under R. 49(c)(10)
The Court affirmed strong support for organizations developing creative legal service models — signaling openness to reform beyond the CJW framework.
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6
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New Rule Effective April 6, 2026
Applications to operate a CJW program must be submitted to the Chief Judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals. Approved applications will be made available to the public.
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DC Mediation & Dispute Resolution Institute
Turning Conflict into Collaboration
Explore our mediation training, certification programs, and professional services — and position yourself at the forefront of D.C.'s expanding access-to-justice landscape.
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This newsletter summarizes D.C. Court of Appeals Order No. M293-26 (filed February 5, 2026).
It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
New rule D.C. App. R. 49(c)(14) takes effect April 6, 2026.
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