Court Navigator Program in NYC Civil Court (Consumer Debt)

The Court Navigator Program was launched in February 2014 to support and assist unrepresented litigants - people who do not have an attorney - during their court appearances in landlord-tenant and consumer debt cases. Specially trained and supervised non-lawyers, called Court Navigators, provide general information, written materials, and one-on-one assistance to eligible unrepresented litigants. In addition, Court Navigators provide moral support to litigants, help them access and complete court forms, assist them with keeping paperwork in order, in accessing interpreters and other services, explain what to expect and what the roles of each person is in the courtroom. Court Navigators are also permitted to accompany unrepresented litigants into the courtroom in Kings County Housing Court and Bronx Civil Court. While these Court Navigators cannot address the court on their own, they are able to respond to factual questions asked by the judge.

  • County(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: All NYC
  • Area of law: Consumer
  • Populations Served: Communities of Color, General Public, Low Income, Women, Working poor and unemployed
  • Opportunities For: Law Students
  • Need for non-English services: Spanish, encouraged
  • Hours for Pro Bono Opportunities: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Consumer Debt ONLY Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-5pm
  • Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: No
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Training Required: Yes
  • CLE credit for trainings: No
  • Training / Supervision Comments: Training / supervision comments: The Court Navigator Program offers a 2 hour training course to volunteers. The Honorable Fern A. Fisher, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts and Director of the New York State Courts Access to Justice Program, and/or her staff provide the instruction. Volunteers receive a program manual.
  • CLE credit for pro bono: No
  • Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
  • Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: Yes
  • Types of projects in need of Pro Bono help: Client counseling (e.g., brief advice)
  • Other Project Types: In court assistance
  • Volunteers may participate long-distance: No
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