About the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW is an independent statutory body established under the Law and Justice Foundation Act 2000 (NSW).
Our objects are to:
- contribute to the development of a fair and equitable justice system that addresses the legal needs of the community and
- improve access to justice for the community, particularly people experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
The Foundation is uniquely positioned to provide a trusted source of information and independent research expertise on access to justice issues, with a civil law focus that spans whole-of-sector interests, for the benefit of the NSW community and beyond.
Our work
The Foundation undertakes applied research, providing analytical advice and expertise, developing comprehensive data tools, and disseminating research and practice guidance to decision-makers and frontline workers across the legal and justice sector. The Foundation also has a focus on improving public understanding of the legal system, and implementing other community-based strategies that support better justice outcomes for the NSW community.
We strive to maintain a deep knowledge of the sector and combine this with rigorous methods and a people-centred approach to generate a practical and meaningful evidence base.
The Foundation has become a leader in applied research aimed at improving the fairness, equity and accessibility of the justice system in NSW and beyond, with a focus on advancing understanding of the legal needs of the community, and what works to meet those legal needs effectively and affordably.
Contributing to a fair and equitable justice system
- What works sustainably to address the legal needs of the community The Foundation undertakes quality research and evaluation about what works to address the legal needs of the community effectively and affordably. We seek continued opportunities to contribute to the creation of knowledge and evidence-based recommendations for policy makers and service providers.
- Justice system data and analysis For over twenty years, the Foundation has led state and national level initiatives to improve the quality and use of data available to support the civil justice system and the legal assistance sector in particular. Our groundbreaking work continues to explore how best to make use of different available data sources and provide an evidence base for effective service planning and delivery.
- Legal needs surveys Legal needs surveys are accepted internationally as the most effective means of identifying the full range legal needs of the whole community from their perspective. Sustainable Development Goal 16.3 centres on promoting the rule of law, and ensuring equal access to justice for all. Legal needs surveys are recommended to track national progress against this global goal. The Foundation pioneered legal needs survey work in Australia, including its seminal national Legal Australia-wide (LAW) Survey.
- Collaborative service planning Drawing on its research, the Foundation supports the collaborative service planning of the legal assistance sector in NSW and across Australia. The Foundation provides easy-access dashboards, videos and other tools to support effective and efficient legal assistance planning.
