The five areas are: power imbalances in alternative dispute resolution; help to meet legal costs for those not eligible for legal aid, including small businesses; the role of solicitors in the digitalisation of the justice system; big data and access to justice; and civil legal aid.
The project, launched this week, will initially focus on the civil justice system. The working groups will be assisted by an advisory group of experts from academia, lawtech, business, NGOs, the legal profession and consumer groups.
Law Society deputy vice president Richard Atkinson said: ‘It’s vital we understand the strategic risks and opportunities our justice system faces.
‘Our aim is to lead the debate and identify systemic improvements that will serve society now and far into the future.
‘As a champion of access to justice, the Law Society is rising to this challenge and taking the lead in finding solutions which will deliver greater access to justice in our modern world.’
