GOAL 3. Make courts work better
Courthouses remain critical to the resolution of many legal issues. But ‘having your day in court’ can actually mean multiple trips to the courthouse, spread over months, with complicated forms, processes and appearances.
Courts are working to provide more legal information and pro bono services as soon as you walk into a courthouse to make sure you can get immediate assistance. Inside the courtroom, staff and justices are using technology and techniques to manage cases for a simpler process and faster resolution.
2022 Progress
In 2022, courts expanded and improved their digital case management, filing procedures, and virtual hearing procedures. Courts also improved access through the creation of Indigenous Justice Strategies and new rules and procedures for hearings involving self-represented litigants.
3.1 Ensure access to courts
Courts must be adequately staffed and located where people live to make sure people can get access to a judge when needed, especially when fundamental and constitutional rights are at stake
3.2 Promote Multi Service Centres
Courthouses should offer mediation, dispute resolution, and informal or non-legal services to make it easy for people to access cheaper and simpler options at any stage of the process
3.3 Help people who are representing themselves
Courts should offer services, including early resolution and information services, for people who are navigating the legal system alone
3.4 Manage cases effectively
Timelines, simplified procedures, shared experts, and limited number of witness should be agreed to, or insisted on by judges, to make better use of court time and encourage early settlement
3.5 Be accessible and user-focused
Courts and procedures need to be modernized to reflect people’s needs, including better use of technology where it can make the process faster or easier without ignoring the needs of vulnerable people
3.6 Protect judicial independence
Ensure system improvements do not interfere with a judge’s ability to make independent, ethical decisions to protect people’s rights