New Research Collection Explores Costs and Benefits of Community-Based Justice

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023ajrn1 Leave a comment

The Canadian Forum on Civil Justice (CFCJ) has announced the publication of a series of reports and other research publications that examine the costs and benefits of community-based justice initiatives globally. The research stems from a collaborative, multi-country, multi-year study with research teams at the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice in Canada, the Centre for Community Justice and Development in South Africa, the Centre for Alternative Policy Research and Innovation in Sierra Leone, and the Katiba Institute in Kenya.

The main objectives of the Community-Based Justice Research (CBJR) project were:

(1) Identify and assess the costs to justice seekers and providers of locally accessible justice services relative to the outcomes of these justice services; and,

(2) Based on research insights, explore the potential to better support and scale community-based justice programs for broader impacts.

The project has resulted in a rich collection of reports, papers, blogs and other resources, including:

Exploring Community-Based Services, Costs and Benefits for People-Centered Justice – Final CBJR Project Report: https://cfcj-fcjc.org/wp-content/uploads/Exploring-Community-Based-Services-Costs-and-Benefits-for-People-Centered-Justice-by-Trevor-CW-Farrow-and-Ab-Currie.pdf
Community Justice Services: Models from Around the World – Report: https://cfcj-fcjc.org/wp-content/uploads/Community-Justice-Services-Models-from-Around-the-World-Lisa-Moore.pdf
Community-Based Justice Initiatives – Infographic: https://cfcj-fcjc.org/infographics/community-justice-initiatives/
Costs and Benefits of Community-Based Justice in Sierra Leone final report: https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/10625/61131/Costs%20and%20Benefits%200f%20Community-based%20Justice_SierraLeone.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Alternative Approaches to Access to Justice in Kenya: A Cost-Benefit Analysis: https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/10625/61056/IDL-61056.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Services Offered by CAOs [Community Advice Offices in South Africa]: https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/10625/61139/IDL-61139.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

View the full CBJR research collection on the CFCJ website here: https://cfcj-fcjc.org/our-projects/community-based-justice-research-cbjr/.

The Community-Based Justice Research project was funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

BC Launches Cross-Ministry Indigenous Justice Secretariat

April 14, 2023April 14, 2023ajrn1 Leave a comment

In keeping with a commitment outlined in the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, the Government of British Columbia has announced the launch of the Indigenous Justice Secretariat, which will work to address the overrepresentation of and disproportionate impacts on Indigenous Peoples in the justice system and Indigenous children and youth in care. According to a press release from the BC Attorney General’s Office, “the BC First Nations Justice Strategy is designed by and for Indigenous Peoples to reform the colonial justice system and revitalize Indigenous legal practices and was endorsed by the Province and the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) in 2020.”

The cross-ministry Indigenous Justice Secretariat will be housed within the BC Ministry of the Attorney General. It will be led by Métis-Cree lawyer and assistant deputy minister, Colleen Spier.

For more information about the access to justice goals of the newly launched Indigenous-led secretariat, or to view the BC Government’s press release, please visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023AG0025-000500.

Digital Credentials Project Launches Province-Wide in B.C.

April 5, 2023April 5, 2023ajrn1 Leave a comment

Following a pilot project phase that included more than 250 family lawyers in B.C., the province is expanding its Member Digital Credential project.

A news release by The Law Society of British Columbia describes digital credentials as an innovative solution that enables lawyers to securely identify themselves online, provides a more efficient and cost-effective way to interact with courts and government services, and allows access to online court materials.”

The now two-year old Member Digital Credential project will expand in stages, beginning with a phased rollout in family law and criminal law.

The Member Portal can be accessed online at: https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/lsbc/apps/members/login.cfm. Questions about the Member Digital Credential can be sent to AskACM@gov.bc.ca.