Volume 1 of the Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS) examines everyday problems and legal need. Authors Nigel J. Balmer, Pascoe Pleasence, Hugh M. McDonald, and Rebecca L. Sandefur present findings in the first volume on the way that legal problems are experienced by adults in Victoria, the steps—if, any—people take to address their legal problem(s), how problems proceed, and how they end.  

Volume 1 reveals that approximately 42% of respondents reported having a legal problem. Problems related to goods and services (20.9%) were the most common, followed by fines (9.5%) and family problems (5.2%). Problems are correlated with disadvantage and result in significant individual and public costs. Legal problem experiences also commonly cause stress. In addition, the study indicates that problems often multiply and can be very difficult to shake off. The report presents findings on the relationship between disasters, emergencies and legal problems, revealing that among respondents affected by bushfires in 2019-20 there was a greater likelihood of experiencing more, diverse, and longer-lasting legal problems.

The study’s findings are based on responses from more than 6,000, mainly in-person surveys.

The second volume of the PULS (forthcoming) will explore legal capability, including differences across sociodemographic groups. The third volume of the PULS (forthcoming) will examine problem-solving behaviour and problem outcomes.

The Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS) Volume 1: Everyday Problems and Legal Need is a project of the Victoria Law Foundation. The full report, as well as a report summary, and key findings are available online here: https://puls.victorialawfoundation.org.au/publications/everyday-problems-and-legal-need.