Is technology the solution to improving access to family law services?
Improving access to family legal services has long been a goal for ensuring a fairer and more just legal system. Delays and costs can unfortunately hinder many accessing the legal support they need.
Kent ad Surrey Family Resolution have being trying to address this by pioneering new innovative ways of working, tailored to each individual client and focussing on alternative dispute resolution such as family mediation and shuttle mediation, collaborative law, family arbitration and FDRs (Financial Dispute Resolution), which may be helpful in the wake of separation or divorce.
Recently the SRA (Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority) in partnership with Nesta Challenges held a Legal Access Challenge.
The Legal Access Challenge supported eight finalists, selected from a total of 117 applications to the Challenge, whose innovations will make legal services more accessible and affordable individuals, families and small businesses
The focus is increasingly moving to video technology solutions at the forefront of improving access to all branches of law. In many, although not all, instances family cases can be solved fairly for all without the need for face-to-face appointments or court involvement. This comes in the light of Covid-19, which has accelerated the move towards digital and video tech alternatives for appointments and meetings.
Anna Bradley, SRA Chair and Chair of the challenge judging panel said: “I believe tech will be a game-changer for access to legal support. Covid-19 has bought into even sharper focus the importance of digital solutions. However, it’s clear that the adoption of technology has been slow when it comes to public facing legal services.”
You can read the full article on the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority website by clicking here.