Looking for the Access to
Justice Research Network
(AJRN)? Click here

Blog

A New Vision for the 2015 Millennium Development Goals: Integrating Access to Justice

How does access to justice play a role in eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development in the global south? How can countries address access to justice issues, and how should they prioritize them? Should access to justice be adopted as a new Millennium Development Goal (MDG) post-2015? These questions and others concerning the access to

read now

Reforming the Family Justice System: An Evidence-Based Approach

Family courts are at the epicentre of Canada’s access to justice problem.  Every weekday over 700 new separation-related cases commence in this country. These cases involve Canadians from all walks of life.  Disputes over child custody and access and child support obligations are especially common, and they can have profound impacts on separating adults and

read now

Why the Cost of Not Resolving Legal Problems May be Greater Than We Think

There is plenty of research evidence of the significant intangible costs of the lack of access to justice. Every legal problems study examining the issue has shown that physical health problems and stress-related illness are common consequences of experiencing legal problems. The Canadian research shows that about 23% of respondents with at least one justiciable

read now

Paralegals and Access to Justice: A Case Study of Residential Tenancy Disputes in Ottawa [1]

Amidst a generally perceived crisis in access to justice, increasing emphasis is being placed on the potential of paralegals to offer affordable, efficient and effective legal assistance to people with unmet legal needs. In other words, paralegals may provide a means for re-configuring the costs of justice and thereby improving access to justice. This case

read now

Legal Aid Alberta Hosts 2013 Access to Justice Awards Gala

Each year, Legal Aid Alberta hosts the Access to Justice Awards Gala to recognize individuals nominated by their peers for their significant contribution to the community, as well as reflect on the important role each of us plays within the realm of access to justice.  “Remember, the concept of access to quality justice is not simply

read now

Insights into the Cost of Evidence

How do you get credible and testable evidence without making the justice system even more unaffordable than it already is? This question was the sum of the discussion at the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice’s (CIAJ) first-ever student workshop held on October 10, 2013. The workshop titled, The Cost of Evidence, was facilitated

read now