As introduction, the paper presents the World Bank Group and explains why the Bank is concerned about legal and judicial reform. In a second part, the question is raised: "What good would it do to facilitate access to court, if the judicial system itself does not work?"--following an outline of impediments to access for the poor in developing countries. The paper discusses alternate conflict solution proposals and concludes that in the context of legal and judicial reform, access to court would be a crucial element and key indicator of success for Bank projects. As example, current activities in Mauritania in this area are outlined. Attachments give wordings of World Bank Projects, and a list of all current "free standing" legal and judicial reform operations.