Research and Policy – International
Triage tools – The Illinois Model
Published 20/09/2018 by Christian Gunther
Triage tools, legal portals, guided pathways. Whatever the terminology, the use of technology to gather information from service users and signpost or refer them, based on that information given, to appropriate services is a much sought after resource. Getting the model right is an undeniable challenge but there are some good international examples of how to make the right technology work in the right situations.
The Australian Approach to Access to Justice
Published 07/09/2018
With thanks to our network member Emily MacLoud, this comprehensive overview gives an interesting insight into the approach Australia has taken to designing an encompassing national triage tool for LiPs.
Indian High Court IT Initiatives
Published 07/09/2018
The Indian Punjab and Haryana High Court has begun utilising IT to support litigants, lawyers and judges in a variety of ways.
The case for national disaster legal aid in the UK
Published 31/08/2018
In this entry we examine whether the UK should follow the American example of having a national agency that provides free and immediate legal assistance to survivors of disasters, as well as resources for lawyers and information for individuals on the legal implications of such disasters. This topic will be considered in light of the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire.
Innovative staff and students are collaborating in America to help LiPs
Published 24/08/2018
We examine two programs developed by American universities that enable students to devise innovative solutions to problems faced by LiPs and we advocate for the pursuit of a similar approach in the UK.
What can we learn from Canadian efforts to promote access to justice
Published 17/08/2018
The approaches of Canadian law reformers are examined to find out how their insights could provide us with some fresh strategies for helping LiPs,
An Insight into Legal Consciousness
Published 10/08/2018
Recent research suggests that people are becoming alienated from the law and may even disengage with it altogether.
Germany vs England - Informal Justice
Published 03/08/2018
In an insightful comparative empirical study of the United Kingdom and Germany Naomi Creutzfeldt highlights how differing experiences of the formal legal system shape citizens' wider attitudes towards justice.
New research will look at the use of “non-lawyers” or “navigators” in civil court cases
Published 21/06/2018
New American research will investigate the use of “non-lawyer” personnel (sometimes dubbed “navigators” or those who fill “roles beyond lawyers”) in supporting litigants in person.
Canada launches 6 year research initiative examining AI in the justice sector
Published 21/06/2018
Led by Professor Karim Benyekhlef, Director of the Cyberjustice Laboratory, and funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s (SSHRC) Partnership Grants program, ACT aims to increase access to justice through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Courts work in partnership to create resources for litigants in person
Published 20/06/2018
The Provincial Court of British Columbia, in partnership with Clicklaw, have created (regularly updated) mobile-friendly guides to online legal information resources for self-represented litigants, and others who require assistance when starting out on the path to problem resolution for Provincial Court matters.
Judges in Nova Scotia learn about the challenges faced by the African community in the justice system
Published 20/06/2018
“We all carry with us lived experiences that shape who we are and what we believe, and those experiences help guide the decisions we make...it is important that we take time to better understand the world view of those who turn to us for relief, particularly when those individuals come from a background different than our own.”
How do you rank and define “need” for legal services
Published 20/06/2018
Australia are looking to redress the problem of restricted funding for free legal advice by targeting services to those in greatest need. With half the population experiencing a legal problem each year the challenge is in identifying these individuals so that services can be designed appropriately to meet their needs. This paper form the Law And Justice Foundation of New South Wales looks at one methodology for identification by geographic location.
New research examines the role of community workers in helping people with legal problems
Published 07/06/2018
Recently published research by The Law Foundation of Ontario examines the role of intermediaries in connecting people to legal information and legal help.
Canada focusing on creating a more efficient and effective family justice system
Published 07/06/2018
In the first substantial update of Canada's federal family laws in 20 years, the Canadian Government is progressing on providing a family justice system that works for families and is both accessible and efficient.
Is human centred design key to making courts work for litigants in person?
Published 06/06/2018
Margaret Hagen, Lecturer at Stanford Law School and Director of Stanford Legal Design Lab has produced a paper with suggestions on how courts may make themselves more usable for litigants in person.
Global Insights on Access to Justice: Findings from the World Justice Project General Population Poll in 45 Countries
Published 30/01/2018
New report from the Global Justice Project: "Global Insights on Access to Justice" is the first-ever effort to capture comparable data on legal needs and public access to civil justice on a global scale, representing the voices of more than 46,000 people in 45 countries.
Canada: The Access to Justice Research Network (AJRN)
Published 16/03/2017
The Access to Justice Research Network (AJRN) aims to connect a wide range of justice stakeholders who are passionate about access to justice in Canada. Coordinated by the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice the AJRN allows its members to share research, resources and other material related to access to justice.
USA: The Self Represented Litigants Network
Published 16/03/2017
The Self-Represented Litigant Network is an organisation in the United States connecting lawyers, judges and allied professionals who are creating innovative and evidence-based solutions so that self-represented litigants have meaningful access to the courts and get the legal help they need.
