Civil Justice Council Events and Conferences
The Civil Justice Council’s National Forum on Access to Justice for those without means
The National Forum was first held in 2012 as a follow-up to a Civil Justice Council report on self-represented litigants or litigants in person (PDF, opens in a new tab).
It followed a series of regional events. It was designed to provide an opportunity for everyone to review progress of the CJC working group’s report and to look ahead to what more could be done ahead of planned legal aid reforms in April 2012, which would inevitably see a rise in self-represented litigants in the justice system.
Over the years, the National Forum has expanded to cover access to justice for those without means more broadly, not just litigants in person.
2021 National Forum
The 10th annual event took place at Central Hall, Westminster and online on Friday 10 December 2021. You can watch recordings of the main sessions online (opens in a new tab).
2020 National Forum
The 9th annual event was held on Friday 11 December 2020. It took place virtually due to COVID-19. Amongst topics discussed were the effect of the pandemic, data and the future of technology and innovation.
You can watch recordings of the main sessions online (opens in a new tab).
2019 National Forum
The 8th annual event was held on Friday 6 December 2019.
Amongst topics discussed were vulnerable people in the justice system, digital support and public legal education.
You can read a full summary of the event and watch recordings of the main sessions online (opens in a new tab).
2018 National Forum
The 7th annual event was held on Friday 7 December 2018.
Amongst topics discussed were funding, the advice sector and the relationship between access to justice and mental health.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab)online.
2017 National Forum
The 6th annual event was held on Friday 8 December 2017.
Amongst topics discussed were litigants in person, mediation and ‘before the event’ legal expenses insurance.
You can find a link to the programme (PDF, opens in a new tab) here.
2016 National Forum
The 5th annual event was held on Friday 2 December 2016.
Amongst topics discussed were early initial legal advice, HMCTS reform and how the vulnerable access the justice system.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab) online.
2015 National Forum
The 4th annual event was held on Friday 4 December 2015.
Amongst topics discussed were providing access to justice in discrimination cases, new approaches to lower value disputes and the Civil Courts Structure Review.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab) online.
2014 National Forum
The 3rd annual event was held on Friday 21 November 2014.
Amongst topics discussed were judicial training, online dispute resolution and telephone advice.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab) online.
2013 National Forum
The 2nd annual event was held on Friday 29 November 2013.
Amongst topics discussed were the Welsh civil justice system, adverse costs orders and McKenzie friends.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab) online.
2012 National Forum
The 1st annual event was held on Friday 30 November 2012.
Amongst topics discussed were implementation of the recommendations in the CJC’s report, local and regional LIP agencies, plus guides and information available to litigants in person.
You can read a summary of the event (PDF, opens in a new tab) online.