fbpx
  • Latest News
  • Trending News
  • All
  • Latest News
  • Featured
  • Industry News
  • Legal Governance
  • Constitutional Law
  • Op-Ed
  • News Archives
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Analysis
  • Bankruptcy Law
  • Consumer Protection Law
  • Cyber Security Law
  • Family Law
  • Disability Law
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Estate Law
  • Housing Law
  • Human Rights Code
  • Immigration Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Privacy Law
  • Tax Law
  • Workers Compensation Board
Do the poor suffer disproportionately from legal problems?

Do the poor suffer disproportionately from legal problems?

March 23, 2022
More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report

More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report

August 13, 2022
Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined

Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined

August 12, 2022
The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence

The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence

August 12, 2022
FBI took 11 sets of classified material from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home while investigating possible Espionage Act violations (US)

FBI took 11 sets of classified material from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home while investigating possible Espionage Act violations (US)

August 12, 2022
Ontario class action settlement reclassifies volunteers as employees, setting new precedent

Ontario class action settlement reclassifies volunteers as employees, setting new precedent

August 11, 2022
Availability of Judicial Review in SABS Disputes

Availability of Judicial Review in SABS Disputes

August 10, 2022
Are masking policies still valid?

Are masking policies still valid?

August 10, 2022
Justice Canada releases commission report on impact of lack of legal aid in family law disputes

Justice Canada releases commission report on impact of lack of legal aid in family law disputes

August 9, 2022
Harmonized sales tax part of maximum amount of attendant care benefits owed by insurer: court

Harmonized sales tax part of maximum amount of attendant care benefits owed by insurer: court

August 8, 2022
New rules coming next month to help Canadians with cancelled and delayed flights

New rules coming next month to help Canadians with cancelled and delayed flights

August 3, 2022
Stephen King set to testify for govt in books merger trial (US)

Stephen King set to testify for govt in books merger trial (US)

August 2, 2022
New law program in Quebec to begin next fall, a first in 50 years

New law program in Quebec to begin next fall, a first in 50 years

August 2, 2022

Defence lawyers threaten job action over Legal Aid Alberta funding

August 1, 2022
The Impact of the Lack of Legal Aid in Family Law Cases

The Impact of the Lack of Legal Aid in Family Law Cases

July 29, 2022
SCC rules that when someone is required by their partner to wear a condom but do not, they could be guilty of sexual assault.

SCC rules that when someone is required by their partner to wear a condom but do not, they could be guilty of sexual assault.

July 29, 2022
Big Plastic suing feds over single-use ban β€” again

Big Plastic suing feds over single-use ban β€” again

July 29, 2022
Tim Hortons offers coffee and doughnut as proposed settlement in class action lawsuit

Tim Hortons offers coffee and doughnut as proposed settlement in class action lawsuit

July 29, 2022

NBA investigating Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering

July 29, 2022

#MeToo didn’t end sexual harassment in the workplace and vigilance remains a must

July 29, 2022
The SCC has refused to hear the appeal to declare the renewal of the state of health emergency by the Quebec government invalid

The SCC has refused to hear the appeal to declare the renewal of the state of health emergency by the Quebec government invalid

July 28, 2022
Federal privacy commissioner investigating controversial ArriveCAN app

Federal privacy commissioner investigating controversial ArriveCAN app

July 28, 2022
Kraken, a U.S. Crypto Exchange, Is Suspected of Violating Sanctions (US)

Kraken, a U.S. Crypto Exchange, Is Suspected of Violating Sanctions (US)

July 26, 2022
Ontario court certifies class action on former patients’ anxiety from notice of risk of infection

Ontario court certifies class action on former patients’ anxiety from notice of risk of infection

July 26, 2022
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Canada’s top court decides whether to hear climate class action lawsuit

The stakes couldn’t be higher as Canada’s top court decides whether to hear climate class action lawsuit

July 26, 2022
Professor Barnali Choudhury selected by EU as trade and sustainable development expert

Professor Barnali Choudhury selected by EU as trade and sustainable development expert

July 25, 2022

Abuse and harassment survivors ‘silenced’ by non-disclosure agreements fight for change to B.C. law

July 23, 2022
The Supreme Court decision on the β€˜Ghomeshi’ amendments will help sexual assault victims access justice

The Supreme Court decision on the β€˜Ghomeshi’ amendments will help sexual assault victims access justice

July 5, 2022
AFN Reaches $20 B Final Settlement Agreement to Compensate First Nations Children and Families

AFN Reaches $20 B Final Settlement Agreement to Compensate First Nations Children and Families

July 4, 2022

Why your options may be limited if your employer wants you back in the workplace

July 4, 2022

City directs contractors to reinstate Sikh security guards who lost work due to clean-shaven rule

July 4, 2022
  • ABOUT LITN
  • SUPPORT LITN
  • LEGAL, PRIVACY & POLICY
  • PUBLIC EDUCATION & RESOURCE LINKS
Friday, January 27, 2023
  • Login
  • Register for a FREE LITN account
βš– Law in the News .com (LITN) Media πŸ“ƒ
  • Latest News
  • Industry News
  • Categories
    • A to C
      • Aboriginal Law
      • Access to Justice (A2J)
      • Administrative Law
      • Alternative Dispute Resolution
      • Analysis
      • Animal Law
      • Anti-Corruption Law
      • Antitrust Law
      • Arbitration Law
      • Banking and Securities Law
      • Bankruptcy Law
      • Cannibis Law
      • Civil Litigation
      • Class Action
      • Commercial Law
      • Constitutional Law
      • Construction Law
      • Consumer Protection Law
      • Contract Law
      • Criminal Law
      • Cyber Security Law
    • D to H
      • Disability Law
      • Editor’s Choice
      • Elder Law
      • Employment Law
      • Environmental Law
      • Entertainment Law
      • Estate Law
      • Family Law
      • Highway Traffic Law
      • Housing Law
      • Human Rights Code
    • I to L
      • Immigration Law
      • Industry News
      • Insurance Law
      • Intellectual Property Law
      • International Law
      • Labour Law
      • Latest News
      • Legal Governance
    • M to Z
      • Medical Law
      • Municipal Law
      • Op-Ed
      • Personal Injury Law
      • Privacy Law
      • Real Estate Law
      • Regulatory Law
      • Tax Law
      • Telecommunications Law
      • Transportation Law
      • Workers Compensation Board
  • Archives
    • 2022
      • July 2022
      • June 2022
      • May 2022
      • April 2022
      • March 2022
      • February 2022
      • January 2022
    • 2021
      • December 2021
      • November 2021
      • October 2021
      • September 2021
      • August 2021
  • About LITN
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Goal
    • Contact Us
    • Support LITN
      • Contribute to LITN Operations
      • Place YOUR Custom Ad on LITN
      • Engage with LITN Sponsored Ads
      • Create a FREE LITN Account
      • Subscribe to the LITN Newsletter
      • Connect, Follow, Like, Retweet and Repost LITN
    • Legal, Privacy and Policy
      • Cookie Policy (CA)
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms and Conditions
  • Public Education and Resource Links
No Result
View All Result
βš– Law in the News .com (LITN) Media πŸ“ƒ
  • Latest News
  • Industry News
  • Categories
    • A to C
      • Aboriginal Law
      • Access to Justice (A2J)
      • Administrative Law
      • Alternative Dispute Resolution
      • Analysis
      • Animal Law
      • Anti-Corruption Law
      • Antitrust Law
      • Arbitration Law
      • Banking and Securities Law
      • Bankruptcy Law
      • Cannibis Law
      • Civil Litigation
      • Class Action
      • Commercial Law
      • Constitutional Law
      • Construction Law
      • Consumer Protection Law
      • Contract Law
      • Criminal Law
      • Cyber Security Law
    • D to H
      • Disability Law
      • Editor’s Choice
      • Elder Law
      • Employment Law
      • Environmental Law
      • Entertainment Law
      • Estate Law
      • Family Law
      • Highway Traffic Law
      • Housing Law
      • Human Rights Code
    • I to L
      • Immigration Law
      • Industry News
      • Insurance Law
      • Intellectual Property Law
      • International Law
      • Labour Law
      • Latest News
      • Legal Governance
    • M to Z
      • Medical Law
      • Municipal Law
      • Op-Ed
      • Personal Injury Law
      • Privacy Law
      • Real Estate Law
      • Regulatory Law
      • Tax Law
      • Telecommunications Law
      • Transportation Law
      • Workers Compensation Board
  • Archives
    • 2022
      • July 2022
      • June 2022
      • May 2022
      • April 2022
      • March 2022
      • February 2022
      • January 2022
    • 2021
      • December 2021
      • November 2021
      • October 2021
      • September 2021
      • August 2021
  • About LITN
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Goal
    • Contact Us
    • Support LITN
      • Contribute to LITN Operations
      • Place YOUR Custom Ad on LITN
      • Engage with LITN Sponsored Ads
      • Create a FREE LITN Account
      • Subscribe to the LITN Newsletter
      • Connect, Follow, Like, Retweet and Repost LITN
    • Legal, Privacy and Policy
      • Cookie Policy (CA)
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms and Conditions
  • Public Education and Resource Links
No Result
View All Result
βš– Law in the News .com (LITN) Media πŸ“ƒ
No Result
View All Result
Home Access to Justice (A2J)

Do the poor suffer disproportionately from legal problems?

When we talk about access to justice, a key consideration is β€œaccess for whom?”

March 23, 2022
Reading Time: 9 mins read
1
A A
0
Do the poor suffer disproportionately from legal problems?
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare by Email

Β 


PHOTO: Stock
  • Paul Prettitore ⁞ Brookings Institution
  • March 23, 2022

Β 
Β 

When we talk about access to justice, a key consideration is β€œaccess for whom?” While access is often made widely available by law, in practice it is heavily dependent on resources and knowledge. Access is practically defined by resources and opportunities. It is often obstructed by overlapping layers of vulnerability, including poverty and limited financial resources, race, sexual orientation, gender, language, lack of institutional trust, education level,Β and physical access to justice institutions like courts, lawyers, and other legal professionals.

One way to measure real access to justice is to look at how people experience legal problems, or β€œlegal needs.” The growth ofΒ household surveysΒ measuring frequency, type, impact,Β and resolution of legal problems has made this measure one of the more data rich. Assessing the distribution of the frequency and type of legal problems and their impacts can help start to explain the β€œaccess-for-whom” question.

Legal Needs SurveysΒ conducted by The Hague Institute for the Innovation of Law (HiiL) provide a unique data set on experience with legal problems. These household surveys are particularly useful in identifying the prevalence and impacts of legal problems. Since the surveys also collect information on household income levels, we can explore the distribution of legal problems and their impacts across income groups.Β Β Β 

The data comes from 13 country surveys covering a mix of low-, middle- and high-income countries: Yemen (2014), Mali (2018), Uganda (2019), Bangladesh (2018), Indonesia 2013/14), Kenya (2017), Nigeria (2015), Tunisia (2016), Morocco (2018), Jordan (2017), Lebanon (2017), Fiji (2018), and the United Arab Emirates (2015). It represents over 70,000 respondents.Β The incidence of households reporting at least one legal problem in the recent past ranges from 94 percent in Yemen to 15 percent in Indonesia. Data from individual surveys is available on HiiL’sΒ Justice Dashboard.Β Β 

The data suggest the following:Β Β 

1. LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE LEGAL PROBLEMSΒ 

The relationship between household income and legal problems is not linear but legal problems tend to cluster in the lower half of income bracketsΒ (Figure 1).Β Households in the income bracket just above the lowest most often report legal problems. The distribution of legal problems across income brackets follows roughly the same pattern in each country, with the exceptions of Kenya, Uganda,Β and Fiji which vary only slightly with income.Β Β 

There are several possible rationales for these findings. Economic and social exclusion of those households in the lowest income bracket may preclude them from participating in actions that could be described as β€œlegal problems” in the surveys. Those in income brackets just above the lowest may have opportunities to more fully participate in economic and social life but lack the resources of those in higher income brackets to navigate legal frameworks and absorb legal shocks, making them particularly susceptible to legal problems. There is also the possibility that social safety net programs shield the poorest from legal problems, but also the reality that this group may find it more difficult to identify their problems as legal in nature and report them as such.Β Β 

Figure 1. The relationship between household income and legal problems

The relationship between household income and legal problems

The relationship between household income and legal problems

Source: Author.

2. LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE CERTAIN TYPES OF LEGAL PROBLEMSΒ 

In addition to being more likely to face legal problems, are low-income households more frequently affected by certain types of problems? To answer this question, we created income quartiles combining data from all of the country surveys and distributed the most commonly reported legal problems across quartiles.Β Β Β 

We found that the distribution of types of legal problems was not equalΒ (Figure 2).Β The lower half of income quartiles account for between 63 percent and 81 percent of the most common legal problems. Economic assets may be negatively affected by land, employment,Β and money problems, while human development may be undermined by unresolved housing issues. Agency may be weakened by family and crime problems, and trust undercut by unsettled corruption concerns. Problems involving accidents, if left unresolved, may prevent those affected from addressing resulting health problems. Β Β 

Figure 2. Distribution of legal problems across income quartiles

Distribution of legal problems across income quartiles

Source: Author.

3. LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SUFFER ADVERSE IMPACTS FROM LEGAL PROBLEMSΒ 

Legal problems result in numerous negative impacts, most commonly affecting household allocation of time, loss of income or jobs, and health in the form of injuries from accidents or crimeΒ (Figure 3).Β Breakdowns of family relationships are common, producing their own negative effects. It is important to keep in mind that the legal problems more likely to produce negative impactsβ€”namely land, employment, crime, family, corruption, and accidentsβ€”are the same problems more likely to be experienced by lower-income householdsΒ (as in Figure 2, above).Β Β 

Figure 3. Impacts of most prevalent legal problems

Impacts of most prevalent legal problems

Source: Author.

The impacts of legal problems are also not distributed equally across income quartiles. Households in the poorest quartile were most likely to report adverse impacts on their time, income,Β and jobsΒ (Figure 4).Β The distribution is reversed for impacts on relationships, possibly reflectingΒ damage toΒ the more extensiveΒ business and financial relationshipsΒ ofΒ thoseΒ with higher incomes. What does this mean in practice for the poorest households? Household members may have to reallocate time away from working, studying,Β or caring for children towardΒ resolving their legal problems. They may have to use income to cover associated legal costs, shifting it away from food or housing costs.Β The consequences of legal problems, such as injury from an accident or crime-related imprisonment, may also cause those affected to miss time at their jobs or lose them altogether. Β Β 

Figure 4. Type of impacts of legal problems by income

Type of impacts of legal problems by income

Source: Author.

The increased attention to access to justice in development is highlighted by the goal of β€œequal access to justice for all” underΒ Sustainable Development Goal 16.3. Our findings supportΒ other researchΒ identifying the unequal distribution of legal problems and their negative impacts across income groups. They suggest that wider development goals may be undermined if gaps in access to justice are not effectively addressed. At present, legal problems are an unnecessary burden on low-income households, preventing them from enjoying the full benefits of social and economic development.

Paul Prettitore

Senior Public Sector Specialist –Β World Bank

Future Development

TheΒ Future DevelopmentΒ blog informs and stimulates debate on key development issues.

This blog was first launched in September 2013 by the World Bank and the Brookings Institution in an effort to hold governments more accountable to poor people and offer solutions to the most prominent development challenges. Continuing this goal, Future Development was re-launched in January 2015 at brookings.edu.

For archived content, visit worldbank.org Β»

GOOGLE ADVERTISEMENT

Want direct access to the latest LITN content?

Stay in the loop ➞ Subscribe to LITN instant notifications.
Receive the latest content delivered directly to your device.
Unsubscribe at anytime.

Unsubscribe from LITN instant notifications
Previous Post

Ontario strengthens consumer protection by regulating who can use Financial Planner and Financial Advisor titles

Next Post

Court of Appeal to interpret meaning of β€˜damage’ under Endangered Species Act for first time

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to LITN's Terms & Conditions.

Latest News

More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report
Medical Law

More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report

August 13, 2022
7
Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined
Constitutional Law

Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined

August 12, 2022
7
The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence
Disability Law

The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence

August 12, 2022
7

Subscribe

Join the LITN Newsletter ➞ the latest news delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.


GOOGLE ADVERTISEMENT

Instagram Feed

  • #LegalTechWoes #legaltech #legaltechpainpoints #legalinnovation  #legalops #legaloperations #legal
#legalgeek #legaltechs #legaltechnology | https://instagram.com/lawinthenews
Courtesy Mat Jakubowski ...silvertownlegal.com | @matjakubowski ... https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-jakubowski | https://lawinthenews.com/
  • #LegalTechWoes #legaltech #legaltechpainpoints #legalinnovation  #legalops #legaloperations #legal
#legalgeek #legaltechs #legaltechnology | https://instagram.com/lawinthenews
Courtesy Mat Jakubowski ...silvertownlegal.com | @matjakubowski ... https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-jakubowski | https://lawinthenews.com/
  • #LegalTechWoes #legaltech #legaltechpainpoints #legalinnovation  #legalops #legaloperations #legal
#legalgeek #legaltechs #legaltechnology | https://instagram.com/lawinthenews
Courtesy Mat Jakubowski ...silvertownlegal.com | @matjakubowski ... https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-jakubowski | https://instagram.com/lawinthenews

Facebook Feed

Facebook Feed

Twitter Feed

Join the Conversation

Personal selections from a Canadian perspective. #Law in the #News #LITN @Law_In_The_News

News Categories

Latest Headlines

More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report

More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report

August 13, 2022
7
Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined

Quebec Superior Court suspends Bill 96’s translation requirement until constitutionality determined

August 12, 2022
7
The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence

The Ontario government has given Maggie an ultimatum: the disabled teen can lose her funding or her independence

August 12, 2022
7

Subscribe to the LITN Newsletter

Join the LITN Newsletter ➞ the latest news delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.

Website Powered By

DJT Design Studios logo

Β© 2022 Law in the News Media (LITN)

  • About LITN
  • Contact LITN
  • Support LITN
  • Legal, Privacy and Policy
  • Public Education & Resource Links
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Latest News
  • Industry News
  • Categories
    • A to C
      • Aboriginal Law
      • Access to Justice (A2J)
      • Administrative Law
      • Alternative Dispute Resolution
      • Analysis
      • Animal Law
      • Arbitration Law
      • Anti-Corruption Law
      • Antitrust Law
      • Banking and Securities Law
      • Bankruptcy Law
      • Cannibis Law
      • Criminal Law
      • Civil Litigation
      • Class Action
      • Commercial Law
      • Constitutional Law
      • Construction Law
      • Consumer Protection Law
      • Contract Law
      • Criminal Law
      • Cyber Security Law
    • D to H
      • Disability Law
      • Editor’s Choice
      • Elder Law
      • Employment Law
      • Environmental Law
      • Estate Law
      • Family Law
      • Highway Traffic Law
      • Housing Law
      • Human Rights Code
    • I to L
      • Immigration Law
      • Industry News
      • Insurance Law
      • Intellectual Property Law
      • International Law
      • Labour Law
      • Latest News
      • Legal Governance
    • M to Z
      • Medical Law
      • Municipal Law
      • Op-Ed
      • Personal Injury Law
      • Privacy Law
      • Real Estate Law
      • Regulatory Law
      • Tax Law
      • Telecommunications Law
      • Transportation Law
      • Workers Compensation Board
  • News Archives
    • 2022
      • July 2022
      • June 2022
      • May 2022
      • April 2022
      • March 2022
      • February 2022
      • January 2022
    • 2021
      • December 2021
      • November 2021
      • October 2021
      • September 2021
      • August 2021
  • Public Education & Resource Links
  • About LITN
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Goal
    • Contact LITN
    • Support LITN
    • Legal, Privacy and Policy
      • Home
      • Cookie Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use Policy

Β© 2022 Law in the News Media (LITN)

Welcome Back to LITN!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your LITN account below.

Forgot your password? Sign Up

Create a FREE LITN Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Please complete your registration below.

*By registering into the website, you agree to LITN's Terms & Conditions.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
βš– Law in the News .com (LITN) Media πŸ“ƒ
Manage Cookie Consent
LITN uses technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information to provide the best user experience. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
Go to mobile version