Rule 1.200.Information on Free or Low-cost Local Legal Services
Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 1.200
Plain-English Summary
This is a short rule with a plain purpose: a person who walks into an Oregon courthouse without a lawyer should be able to find out who might help. Each judicial district must post the information in a conspicuous location, which means somewhere a member of the public would come across it rather than filed away on request.
Two details give the posting substance. It must include telephone numbers, so the notice is usable rather than a list of names. And it must describe the nature of the services, so a reader can tell which organization handles which kind of problem instead of calling every number on the board.
The reach is wider than legal aid. The rule covers free or low-cost legal services and other relevant services available in the district, which leaves room for the interpreter, self-help, mediation, and support resources a court user may need alongside legal advice. What the rule does not do is turn the court into a referral service. The duty is to post the information, and nothing in the rule asks the court to recommend one provider over another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free legal help at an Oregon courthouse?
Look for the posted information. Each judicial district must post, in a conspicuous location, information about any free or low-cost legal services available in the district, including telephone numbers. If you cannot find the posting, ask at the counter where it is displayed.
What information has to be posted?
The services available in the district, their telephone numbers, and the nature of those services. The description of what each service does is part of the requirement, so the posting should tell you more than a name and a number.
Does the posting cover more than lawyers?
Yes. The rule reaches free or low-cost legal services and other relevant services available in the district. A court user often needs something other than legal advice, and the rule is written broadly enough to include those resources.
Will the court tell me which service to use or give me legal advice?
No. The rule requires the district to post information about what is available in the district and the nature of those services. It does not ask the court to recommend a provider or to advise you about your own case.
Who is responsible for the posting?
The judicial district. The duty sits with the district rather than with an individual judge or clerk, and it applies to every district in the state.