Access to Justice: The Role of Legal Aid in Society

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of legal aid in enhancing access to justice, with a focus on its accessibility, quality, challenges, impact on society, and future directions. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 22 participants from various socioeconomic backgrounds and locations. Participants included legal aid providers, recipients, and other stakeholders. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify and categorize insights into the role and impact of legal aid. Key findings highlight critical issues in access to legal aid, such as awareness, eligibility criteria, application processes, service availability, and demographic impacts. Quality of service is significantly affected by lawyer expertise and the client-lawyer relationship. Major barriers include financial constraints, systemic issues, cultural and technological barriers. Legal aid significantly impacts social justice, economic stability, and community well-being. Legal aid is essential for equitable access to justice and plays a critical role in social and economic development. Improving the accessibility and quality of legal aid services, addressing systemic barriers, and ensuring broad coverage are vital for maximizing its societal benefits. The study underscores the need for ongoing innovations, policy reforms, and targeted interventions in the legal aid sector.