Justice in a Pandemic Briefing Two: Justice For All and The Economic Crisis

Abstract

The world faces its most threatening economic crisis in almost 100 years. We are already experiencing mass job losses and bankruptcies as part of a sharp economic downturn, and a prolonged global depression is likely as at least 170 countries see their economies shrink. Previous financial crises and natural disasters triggered demand spikes and compounded existing problems in six key justice areas: crime, housing and land, family disputes, unemployment and bankruptcy, money and debt, and access to services. In a survey of 270 justice leaders from 20 countries, employment problems, debt, and bankruptcy were expected to account for the largest increases in justice problems as a result of the COVID-19 virus. It will be difficult for justice systems to meet the increased demand.12 Even before the pandemic, 1.5 billion people had justice problems they were unable to resolve.13 Now, with many formal and informal justice providers suspending services because of the health emergency and likely to face a surge in demand when they reopen, the burden on them will be unprecedented.

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https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/77499/