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Introduction

The objects of the Law and Justice Foundation are to contribute to the development of a fair and equitable justice system which addresses the legal needs of the community, and to improve access to justice by the community (in particular, by economically and socially disadvantaged people).¹

The Foundation's priority during 2002–2003 is the Access to Justice and Legal Needs Project, which will investigate the access to justice and legal needs of economically and socially disadvantaged people in New South Wales.

The principal purpose is, via a thorough and credible process, to develop a statement of these needs, which we hope will inform government, non-government and community agencies helping to improve access to justice for disadvantaged people in New South Wales.

This paper is a background paper to the Law and Justice Foundation's Access to Justice and Legal Needs Project. In particular, this paper will assist those individuals and organisations intending to make a submission or be involved in subsequent stages of the project. The paper outlines the project's terms of reference and provides further details regarding the issues which will be the subject of examination for the project.

It also provides

• a discussion of the terms 'access to justice' and 'legal needs' in the context of this project
• an initial identification of some disadvantaged groups whose access to justice and legal needs will be relevant to the project, and
• a brief description of several studies and research literature on access to justice and legal needs issues.

The Foundation invites submissions from interested groups and individuals. The closing date for submissions is Monday 30 September, 2002.

There is no special form required for submissions.

All submissions should be directed to:
Senior Project Manager
Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
GPO Box 4264 SYDNEY NSW 2001
Tel: (02) 9221 3900
Fax.: (02) 9221 6280
TTY: (02) 9223 4229