Noel Semple has recently released a paper contributing to the ongoing discussion surrounding the cost of civil justice in Canada. He draws attention to the financially burdensome nature of civil justice claims, as well as temporal and psychological costs involved with legal disputes. His thorough investigation of the issue draws on the National Self Represented Litigants Project for quantitative information about the true costs of accessing civil justice. The paper is available on SSRN.
Dramatic civil legal aid cuts in the UK in 2012 and corresponding effects to the justice system has put access to justice on the radar of future voters. This article posted on LeftFootForward, calls for the Labour Party to make access to justice a campaign priority.
On the Family Law Refocused blog, Christine Murray has a post on the cost of divorce in Canada and five suggestions to reduce costs for individuals.
Interesting (and rare) article on the business problems of a Toronto-area law firm trying to provide accessible services in today’s Globe and Mail.
There are a variety of issues tied up here, including providing accessible legal services to survivors of domestic abuse, multi-disciplinary partnerships, alternative business structures, and crowdfunding. The article also highlights a need for more discussion about how to run a sustainable legal practice to provide accessible services.
In March the Action Committee on Access to Justice and Family Matters convened a meeting of provincial and territorial access to justice groups.
The Canadian Forum on Civil Justice has posted a short blog on the meeting as well as short updates from A2J groups in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Access them here.
The Toronto Star has an article discussing how court innovations in New York and Windsor, Ontario, are helping SRLs.
Matt Maurer has a very brief post here on courtroom innovations to help SRLs, and questions what’s being done in the Toronto area.
The Winkler Institute blog has a post by Nicole Aylwin on the first Family Justice and Mental Health Social Lab in Ontario.
ajrn.org 