Rule of Law webinar 2: How has COVID-19 affected Access to Justice in the Commonwealth?
Date: 18th August 2020 at 13:00 - 14:30 (BST)
Experts from across the Commonwealth will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to justice and how justice systems have implemented innovative measures in order to continue offering services to populations. Watch the full webinar:
Impacts of COVID-19
Panellists will reflect on the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic on a number of aspects of the justice system, including:
- case management and backlogs
- access to legal representation
- the work of the judiciary
How justice systems have adapted
Given the recent increase in the use of virtual hearings, panellists will also discuss the challenges in conducting and attending virtual hearings, and possible approaches to ensure access to justice, inclusion and participation of the most vulnerable, taking into account access to internet and digital platforms.
The panel of experts will examine how justice systems in the Commonwealth have adapted at the time of the pandemic and may have to reinvent themselves in its aftermath in order to achieve equal access to justice for all.
Speakers
The webinar will be moderated by HE Dr Athaliah Molokomme, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Botswana to the UN in Geneva, and will feature the following high profile speakers:
- The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Former Chief Justice of Canada
- Mr Lionel Yee SC, Deputy Attorney-General of Singapore
- Justice (Prof.) Joel Ngugi, Judge, High Court of Kenya
- Sheriff Alistair Duff, Director of the Judicial Institute for Scotland