GOAL 8. Analyze and learn
The old adage that we can’t learn if we don’t measure is true... especially in justice. Understanding the problems from the perspective of the individuals experiencing them is critical to learning. Efforts to make user-centred and evidence-based decisions rely on learning from many perspectives and collecting robust data.
While justice sector organizations have long tracked their own activities, recent access to justice research has focused on hearing the voices of users of the system, gathering experiential data and really understanding the impact of legal problems on real people, from a wide array of communities and circumstances.
2022 Progress
In 2022, disaggregated data collection, knowledge sharing and collaboration, and stakeholder engagement were key elements of A2J projects. Organizations relied on focus groups, surveys, and feedback consultations to ensure that research, project design, and pilot project evaluations were evidence-based — such as the Bootcamp held as a part of the evaluation of the Saskatchewan Legal Coaching and Unbundled Legal Services Pilot Project and the data gathered in Victoria to support the Early Resolution and Case Management Model.
8.1 Develop metrics
Establish benchmarks and standardized metrics to build a shared understanding of legal services, models and needs
8.2 Work with researchers in all fields
Coordinate research between institutions and universities, and between social scientists, economists, system users, and legal institutions to better understanding the issues