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Alternative dispute resolution and access to justice in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2020

Mary Anne Noone  and
Lola Akin Ojelabi
Mary Anne Noone
Affiliation:
Professor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University, Australia
Lola Akin Ojelabi*
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: o.akinojelabi@latrobe.edu.au
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Abstract

In the last four decades, there has been a significant increase in the number and variety of appropriate dispute-resolution (ADR) institutions and processes in Australia as a critical aspect of improved access to justice. Although more people can get assistance to resolve their disputes, the issues of whether this access is shared equally within the community, how the disadvantaged fare in these processes and what type of justice is provided by the various ADR processes are explored. The relevance of legislative objectives of ADR fora and processes to justice outcomes is highlighted. It is argued that ADR processes need to be designed and implemented bearing in mind the type/nature of the dispute, parties involved and availability of resources, and to have an overarching objective of promoting access to justice for users. Additionally, improved access to justice requires ongoing and rigorous evaluation of ADR processes to ascertain whether justice objectives are being achieved.

Keywords

ADRaccess to justicejustice qualitylegislation-based ADRODRevaluation
Type
Article
Information
International Journal of Law in Context , Volume 16 , Special Issue 2: Jurisdictional Perspectives on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Access to Justice , June 2020 , pp. 108 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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