Analyze and Learn

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

Progress in 2019

Understanding the access to justice challenges people face is critical to making meaningful system changes. Viewing the problem from within the system provides only one perspective. Efforts to make user-centered and evidence-based decisions rely on learning from many perspectives and collecting robust data.

Justice sector organizations have long collected statistics about their own operations. PLE organizations know how many people use or download their resources. Courts know how many cases are heard. Legal Aid tracks its clients’ and lawyers’ time and case work. Law Societies and Pro Bono organizations know about the activities of their members and volunteers.

In 2019, the access to justice sector in Canada strengthened its capacity at national and provincial levels, found innovative ways to evaluate and measure progress, and continued the work of ensuring that research drives better understanding and response to the A2J needs of communities across Canada.