SDG 16 Conference: PARALLEL SESSION 1.3 - ASSESSING AND MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND JUSTICE SEEKERS
Even before COVID-19, approximately two-thirds of the world’s population lacked the ability to meaningfully access justice. While the business case for investing in justice is clear and compelling, allocations to the justice sector have declined in both national and development assistance budgets. Justice systems have been hard hit by the pandemic, as new restrictions on physical access to courts and tribunals have coincided with a sharp rise in the need for legal protection and services. This session will look at the effect of the pandemic on the justice sector, with an emphasis on access to justice for those most at risk of being left behind. It will share experiences of innovative practices on digital innovation, preventive justice and alternative dispute resolution employed by courts and practitioners across the world that can help advance access to justice for all, and accelerate progress on other dimensions of SDG 16 and the entire 2030 Agenda.