1. World problems
  2. Inaccessibility of justice

Inaccessibility of justice

  • Unequal access to the law
  • Lack of access to justice

Nature

Wealthy litigants are in a position to hire expensive lawyers whose experience, skill and gravitas are perceived are recognized as contributing to a favourable outcome of the trial for their clients. Less wealthy litigants are far less able to sustain any losses resulting from what are termed the risks of litigation; an unsuccessful outcome can lead to financial ruin. With such prospects, even those of moderate wealth tend to be discouraged from engaging in litigation, whether or not there is a reasonable chance of success. Wealthy litigants are well placed to engage in bullying tactics once litigation has commenced, notably by increasing the scale and cost of litigation. Legal aid schemes are unable to compensate for the many advantages of the wealthy litigants, especially since such aid when available tends to be restricted to certain population groups engaging in certain kinds of litigation only.

Background

The inaccessibility of justice emerged as a global concern in the mid-20th century, highlighted by international human rights movements and post-colonial legal reforms. Its significance grew as studies revealed systemic barriers—economic, linguistic, and geographic—preventing marginalized populations from seeking redress. Landmark reports by organizations such as the United Nations and the World Justice Project have since documented persistent disparities, prompting worldwide calls for legal empowerment and equitable justice systems.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Incidence

Globally, millions of individuals face significant barriers to accessing justice, with the World Justice Project estimating in 2023 that 5.1 billion people have unmet justice needs. These barriers include prohibitive legal costs, complex procedures, lack of legal aid, and discrimination, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups in both developed and developing countries. The inaccessibility of justice perpetuates cycles of poverty, undermines trust in institutions, and impedes social and economic development on a worldwide scale.
In 2022, in Nigeria, widespread reports highlighted that victims of police brutality and extortion were unable to seek redress due to high legal fees, intimidation, and systemic corruption within the judicial system.
This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Claim

The inaccessibility of justice is a grave and urgent problem that undermines the very foundation of a fair society. When people cannot afford legal representation or navigate complex legal systems, their rights are trampled and inequality deepens. Justice should not be a privilege for the few, but a guarantee for all. Ignoring this crisis perpetuates suffering and erodes public trust—demanding immediate, sweeping reforms to ensure true justice for everyone.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Counter-claim

The so-called “inaccessibility of justice” is vastly overstated. Most people never need to set foot in a courtroom, and when they do, there are ample resources—public defenders, legal aid, and online information. The justice system functions well for the vast majority, and claims of widespread inaccessibility are exaggerated by activists seeking attention. Frankly, there are far more pressing issues deserving our concern than this overblown, minor inconvenience.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Injustice
Unpresentable

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Strategy

Value

Lawfulness
Yet to rate
Lack
Yet to rate
Justice
Yet to rate
Injustice
Yet to rate
Inequality
Yet to rate
Inaccessibility
Yet to rate

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #10: Reduced InequalitySustainable Development Goal #16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Content quality
Presentable
 Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
D8334
DOCID
11483340
D7NID
138063
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020