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Proxy Models of Legal Need: Can They Contribute to Equity of Access to Justice?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2006

DEBORAH BAKER  and
STEPHEN BARROW
DEBORAH BAKER
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health Research, University of Salford, 7th Floor, Allerton Building, Frederick Road Campus, Salford M6 6PU. Tel: 0161 295 2800. Fax: 0161 295 2818. email: d.j.baker@salford.ac.uk
STEPHEN BARROW
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health Research, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU
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Abstract

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Prioritisation of cases and resources as a means of rationing the limited legal aid budget has recently become a feature of access to justice in the UK. This article explores the utility of devising proxy models of ‘legal need’ as a means of enabling the rational and equitable planning of legal services in these circumstances. Different conceptual and methodological approaches are considered, highlighting preliminary development work in Scotland. The likelihood of developing ‘legal needs’ measures that promote equity of access to appropriate legal services is discussed in the light of problems with defining ‘legal need’ and the diversity of services available for the resolution of legal problems.

Type
Article
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 35 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 267 - 282
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press