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Access to Justice in Context

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The main aim of this theme is to explore key socio-legal issues and procedural applications in the discourses and practices of access to justice in comparative perspective, giving particular attention to legal and social contexts. Historically, the phrase ‘access to justice’ was essentially associated with access to courts, to legal representation and legal aid. Over the past 50 years, the concept has developed to include a wider remit, attracting scholars from a variety of disciplines and methodologies, and engaging public institutions – internationally and nationally, international organisations, NGOs and professional bodies. However, questions arise and further research is needed with regards to cultural, political, and economic changes that impact on access to justice. In addition, the analysis of access to justice in specific geographic areas and the barriers that specific social groups face requires further exploration. Overall this theme represents an attempt to encourage further reflections, and to pursue research and activism towards a significantly fuller recognition and implementation of access to justice in society today.

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Contributions are invited on issues such as:

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  • Legacy of Mauro Cappelletti and the Florence Access to Justice Project

  • Practical examples of projects examining problems of and barriers to access to justice

  • Contributions of legal clinic to access to justice

  • Examples of cause lawyering

  • Access to justice in selected legal cultures

  • Use of strategic litigation

  • Analysis of barriers to access to justice that specific groups face

  • Rise of Court and Tribunal Fees and Cuts to Legal aid

  • Recourse to ADR and its impact on access to justice

  • Access to justice and public law

  • Access to justice and criminal law

  • Access to justice in conflict-affected areas

 

The list is not intended to be exhaustive. Contributors should feel free to examine any other relevant aspect.

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Conveners

Maria Moscati (M.F.Moscati@sussex.ac.uk) and Amir Paz-Fuchs (A.Paz-Fuchs@sussex.ac.uk)

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