Equal before the law:

This submission discusses a wide range of access to justice issues, including unmet legal needs, the cost of accessing civil justice, avenues for improving access to civil justice, preventing issues from evolving into bigger problems, using informal mechanisms to best effect, improving the accessibility of tribunals and courts, ensuring there are effective and responsive legal services, and increasing funding for litigation. Specific topics addressed include simplicity and usability, geographic constraints, alternative dispute resolution, Ombudsmen, court processes, use of technology, legal assistance services and their funding, litigation funders, class actions and tax deductibility of legal expenses. The exploration of unmet legal needs focuses on those with a physical disability or mental illness, those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.