Advantages Of Accessing The Justice System

Access to justice is a fundamental right and principle of democracy and rule of law. Equal access and protection under the law require that individuals have legal representation when before the court in serious matters. This is reinforced by the Charter and the justice system through formal equality. However, the justice system in Canada does not make accessibility easy and is limited, especially in regards to those living in poverty. People living in poverty face many obstacles to accessing the justice system. Primarily financial, social and physical obstacles, which perpetuate and exacerbate their disadvantage (Carmona, 2012). These obstacles deny those who are living in poverty the opportunity to claim their rights or challenge crimes, abuses