Significance of Access to Justice and Legal Aid: An Analysis of Concepts and Contemporary Adjustments

Abstract

Law is considered as a set of rules which regulates human conduct. When considering the final outcome of implementing such rules, 'justice' is overwhelmingly important. If there is an incapability of getting access to justice, the fact which states the laws enforced in that society have reached the above mentioned final outcome is hardly acceptable. In the long run, since justice being impalpable to the society, people attempt to circumvent the law and outrageously satisfy their needs. Therefore, getting access to justice is of vital importance. Legal aid is simultaneously important to expand access to justice. Legal aid generally means providing people who are craving for legal assistance with free legal consultation and representation. This assistance paves the path to social justice as well. Legal aid was formerly limited for free representation in the courts by the lawyers and for criminal matters. Civil matters and free legal consultation were not taken into account within the sphere of 'legal aid', both nationally and internationally. Due to multifarious social, political and economic changes took place in the world the concepts of 'legal aid' and 'access to justice' faced drastic changes during the past few decades. India and United States of America have immensely dedicated to add a practical value to these concepts. Sri Lanka has also taken several measures to open the doors of justice, which are in progress but require some contemporary adjustments. The recommendations for the development of access to justice can be introduced considering some of the examples provided in the international sphere. The above discussion is based on library research and internet research. Legal aid and access to justice are equally important to suffice social justice. Therefore, discovering new dimensions and identifying both practical and conceptual significance of those concepts are indeed a timely response to the demand for social justice.