Research Group Access to Justice
How do you make ‘the law’ accessible to everyone? The Research group Access to Justice studies the bottlenecks in legal assistance and legal services. In doing so, we mainly look at new forms of low-level access, such as digital complaints procedures. We also study the legal skills of local professionals, the quality of alternative forms of conflict resolution and legal self-reliance.
Lines of research within the research group
Within the research line behavioural influence, we conduct research into digitally safe behaviour. Most of us, and certainly young people, are online every day, but often lack understanding of the cyber risks this entails and how to act accordingly. The aim of this research line is to develop effective behavioural interventions so that people behave digitally safely in an assumed, intuitive way.
Within the research line risk-based measures framework, we are developing standards for specific social sectors. These frameworks help security specialists within the organisations to take the right measures. This makes it easier for organisations to protect themselves against digital attacks.
Within the research line Cyber Security & AI, we want to increase the resilience of companies against cyber attacks. We look at the influence of Artificial Intelligence on the Cyber Security organisation, for example through the effectiveness of standards. Furthermore we look at the influence of AI on human behaviour and cyber attacks, and at the technology itself.
Mediation in criminal cases
Mediators in criminal cases guide the complex dynamics between suspect and victim. It is important that the suspect takes responsibility for the committed crime and its consequences. This makes rehabilitation possible for both parties.
Guidelines for determining the level of supervision
In cooperation with the Dutch probation service, we develop guidelines for determining the activities and methods used during probation supervision, including the level of supervision.
Realizing legal protection for compulsory care by psychiatrists and nurses
The increase of compulsory prevention measures requires that, in addition to good care provision, the legal competences of frontline professionals are safeguarded in good care.
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Education
Our research results are incorporated into practical education and training modules. In this way, we strive to improve the quality of services of social and legal professionals. This also serves to increase the accessibility of the legal system for all citizens.
The research group is involved in the honours modules Access to Law and Human Rights and sustainable development. Students from the honours module Access to Law made a collection of essays (in Dutch) in which they investigated access to law and how it relates to social developments.
“We see a lot of waste of social money for people who experience problems in several areas of life. We bring together knowledge and experience in collaboration with the Access to Law research group in order to learn together and contribute to improving the (social) legal chain.”
Anke Verkade-Bosma Director of the Social Basis Dordrecht and surroundings
Collaboration
We work together with: Juridisch Loket, Vereniging van Mediators in Strafzaken, U Centraal, Stichting Rijnstad, Sociale Dienst Drechtsteden, Vivenz Maatschappelijke Dienstverlening, Privacy First en The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.
