Perspectives on Law and Access to Justice – serie

The pandemic has significantly impacted people's engagement with the administrative justice system (AJS). As we navigate the post-pandemic era, the siloed landscape of tribunals, ombuds, advice services and NGOs face the challenge of maintaining trust in the justice system's fairness, efficacy and inclusivity.Examining the journeys individuals undertake to seek justice in housing and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), this book sheds light on how these institutions adapted to remote service provision.Written by key names in the field, this important contribution uncovers valuable insights for digitalization efforts and offers concrete recommendations for improving pathways to justice.

Since the 2012 LASPO cuts, legal aid provision in England and Wales has faced severe challenges, threatening both client access to justice and traditional practices. This book offers an in-depth ethnographic study of how these cuts have transformed the professional identity of legal aid lawyers amid shrinking resources. By documenting the first-hand experiences of those on the front line, it reveals how these professionals navigate the precarious landscape while maintaining their commitment to justice. This is a unique and insightful look into the evolving role of legal aid lawyers in a diminishing industry across both civil and criminal remits.

Over several decades, policies have made mediation a key part of the English and Welsh family justice system. As the process faces increasing demand from a diverse and complex client base, some argue for a return to a fully funded court system. However, this dominant view overlooks the longstanding problems with the court process, as well as the potential value of mediation. This book, based on original research, highlights the evolving role of mediators who assist families without legal support. By doing so, it reveals a contemporary vision of family justice that addresses some of the challenges in today’s landscape.

The threat of losing a home can have profound consequences for personal health and wellbeing, yet little is known about how occupiers experience the repossession process. Many of those affected are not able to engage effectively with this process, which raises serious concerns about access to justice in housing cases. Addressing an under-researched area, this book explores access to justice in housing possession cases by combining the perspectives of occupiers whose homes are at risk with a detailed analysis of the law, policy and practice of housing possession. It puts the voices of occupiers at the centre of its exploration, drawing on first-hand accounts to identify barriers to advice and representation, their impact on possession outcomes and the measures needed to strengthen access to justice for households at risk of eviction.

After over a decade of unprecedented cuts, this important book examines the radical transformation of legal advice funding and delivery in the UK. Using Liverpool as a case study, the authors analyse the impact of these changes on access to justice, social rights and health inequalities. The book draws on a five-year socio-legal research project to highlight the critical role of local advice networks and co-located services in addressing poverty, and wider inequalities. Offering a fresh perspective on access to justice, it advocates for a more collaborative community-based approach to rebuilding social citizenship.

After over a decade of unprecedented cuts, this important book examines the radical transformation of legal advice funding and delivery in the UK. Using Liverpool as a case study, the authors analyse the impact of these changes on access to justice, social rights and health inequalities. The book draws on a five-year socio-legal research project to highlight the critical role of local advice networks and co-located services in addressing poverty, and wider inequalities. Offering a fresh perspective on access to justice, it advocates for a more collaborative community-based approach to rebuilding social citizenship.