Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of UCL Faculty of Laws, was the keynote speaker at the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales (NSW) symposium on ‘Reshaping Justice: Client-centred service delivery, technology and innovation’ on Tuesday 20 June 2017.
The event, held at the New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney, Australia, included an introduction by the Hon. Mark Speakman SC, the Attorney General of NSW and a presentation from Justice Ron Sackville.
The symposium examined current issues facing the sector and how evidence-based research can be used to shape legal services that are responsive to client needs and interests. The panel also discussed issues such as the use of research for evidence-based decision making and the development of client-centred innovations in civil, family and criminal law and the implications of technology for access to justice.
Professor Genn’s speech focused on the critical contribution of rigorous empirical research in shaping international access to justice debate, in developing a citizen-focused approach to reform, and in influencing policy concerning the distribution of scarce legal aid resource.
Professor Dame Hazel Genn said:
‘Our now sophisticated understanding of citizens’ responses to everyday legal problems, and of enduring barriers to access to justice, owes much to an impressive body of international research. In times of austerity there is an even greater need for reliable, well-targeted evidence to inform and guide policy choices.’
Professor Genn also considered the imminent transformation of judicial proceedings in the UK and the opportunities and challenges offered by technology in the drive to improve access to justice for all citizens.
Professor Genn’s keynote speech was part of a wider 10-day trip which included spending time with alumni and friends of the Faculty in Hong Kong, and meetings with the Australian judiciary in Sydney.
On Wednesday 21 June, Professor Dame Hazel Genn gave a lecture on the state of access to justice in the global context to Judiciary, The Attorney General and senior members of the legal sector.
Professor Dame Hazel Genn also met with the Hon. Mark Speakman SC, the Attorney General of NSW, and Mr Andrew Cappie-Wood, the Secretary of the NSW Department of Justice, on Thursday 22 June.
Later that day, Professor Genn attended a Health Justice Partnership Roundtable, a discussion with a small group of researchers interested in high level, quality evaluation of health justice partnerships.
Read the full symposium programme
Find out more about the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
Image Two: L-R – Geoff Mulherin, Director, NSW Law Foundation, Professor Dame Hazel Genn, UCL Laws, Professor Julie Stubbs, University of New South Wales, Justice Ron Sackville, Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.