Our recent research
A balancing act: Lawyers’ views on access to justice in regional, rural and remote NSW
Insights into delivering justice across regional, rural and remote NSW, drawing on practitioner experience to highlight how place, distance and local context shape legal outcomes.
A practical guide to writing think-pieces, discussion papers, policy briefs, and submissions
This Justice Methods paper offers a guide to writing think-pieces, discussion papers, policy briefs, and submissions for policy, legal, or social issues.
Qualitative research: Methods for understanding justice issues
This Justice Methods paper explores how qualitative research helps us understand the “how” and “why” behind people’s experiences of justice. It shows how these methods reveal complex issues, amplify underrepresented…
Easy Read: Evaluation of the NDIS Appeals Program Legal Services
Uses pictures and words to show how the NDIS Appeals Program helps people with disability to get legal support that they need.
Research Summary: ‘I would have given up without it’: An evaluation of the NDIS Appeals Program Legal Services
Highlights findings from our evaluation of the NDIS Appeals Program Legal Services, and key lessons for improving access to justice for people with disability making an appeal to the Administrative…
‘I would have given up without it’: An evaluation of the NDIS Appeals Program Legal Services
An Evaluation of the NDIS Appeals Program Legal Services examines the program’s role in supporting access to justice for people with disability navigating the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Supporting people-centred justice insights with civil justice data
The administrative data collected by courts and tribunals has potential to inform decision-making, improve litigants’ experiences, and strengthen public trust and confidence in the justice system.
Evidence-based policy & law making: Bail reform in New South Wales
What role should evidence play in shaping justice policy, particularly when decisions must balance individual rights, public safety, and community expectations? This edition of Justice Issues explores the importance of…
Timing of disaster-related legal assistance in New South Wales: Trends in service utilisation for common legal problems following flood and bushfire
Originally published in the Australian Journal of Emergency Management, AIDR (CC BY 4.0). This study examines legal service use after disasters, analysing statewide data across six issue categories (insurance, grants,…
Study of tenancy dispute experience and preparedness at NCAT
Explore how self-represented individuals experience tenancy disputes at NCAT in this qualitative study. Findings reveal insights into power dynamics in conciliation, gaps in procedural clarity, and the importance of advocacy…
Data-driven insights into NCAT tenancy dispute resolution
This analysis of nearly 40,000 applications finalised in 2024 provides a unique view into how tenancy matters progress through the Tribunal. The report reveals patterns in dispute resolution, party roles,…
Conciliation in Australian civil justice: An evidence snapshot
This snapshot brings together research evidence on the role of conciliation in Australian civil justice systems. It aims to build understanding of conciliation practices, their benefits and risks, and the…
Justice Impact Tests: What are they and what is their value?
Justice Impact Tests support good use of public funds, and their publication can promote public confidence in government and justice related decision making.
Natural disaster-related legal need: Community Legal Centres and disaster preparedness
The final stage of a multi-phase research program has now been released, addressing how the legal assistance sector can better support disaster-affected communities in Australia.
The complexities of child protection-related legal needs: Findings from the LAW Survey
Families who have involvement with the child protection system are likely to experience a complex range of co-occurring legal and non-legal issues.
NLAS (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Updated to complete the suite of NLAS indicators based on the 2021 Census, NLAS(Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples) is intended to support the planning of legal assistance services as…
Natural disaster-related legal need in Australia: State of the evidence
This report provides the first comprehensive summary of what is known about disaster-related legal needs in the Australian context and offers new insights to aid in understanding the specific challenges…
Sociolegal research publications
Exploring legal need through research is essential for understanding how individuals engage with the legal system. Our research publications provide evidence on legal need, and the effectiveness of legal and justice services, systems and approaches, and offer data-driven insights. You can browse reports, download findings, and cite our research to inform policy, practice, or further study.
Grounded in access to justice principles, we examine the factors that influence legal system outcomes, covering civil justice topics ranging from housing and disability to dispute resolution and legal needs arising from natural disasters. Justice reports, such as our access to justice in rural, regional and remote NSW study, provide evidence and insights to help legal practitioners, policymakers, and the judiciary understand barriers and identify practical ways to improve service delivery.
Enquiries and collaboration
The Foundation considers requests for delivery and support in the following areas:
- Legal and justice research projects
- Legal service and justice system evaluations
- Research, data analysis and service planning guidance and advice
- Research, evidence and data skills training for staff in the legal and justice sector
For information about our current and planned legal and justice system research, to request support, or to explore our involvement in your research and analysis plans, please don’t hesitate to contact our Research Director via [email protected].