'Justice as a community project' - Forty-two university researchers and forty-four justice partners joining forces to bring a comprehensive Access to Law and Access to Justice (ADAJ) initiative to fruition

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Université de Montréal proudly announces the launch of an important research consortium set up to explore access to law and to justice. ADAJ groups together 42 researchers as well as collaborators from 9 universities and 44 justice partners. The latter include the Superior Court of Québec, the Court of Québec, the Ministry of Justice of Québec, local legal services organizations, the Québec Bar Association, the Chamber of Notaries, SOQUIJ and Éducaloi.

"The object of this initiative is to engage a series of pilot projects aimed at redirecting the focus of the judicial system on the individual citizen and thereby transforming justice into a community project," states Pierre Noreau, scientific director of the project, researcher at the Public Law Research Centre (CRDP) and professor with the Faculty of Law at Université de Montréal.

The twenty research thrusts being launched simultaneously extend to the majority of issues currently facing citizens and the judicial system, notably the ever increasing numbers of self-represented litigants, the obscure wording of contracts and laws, the development of mediation and conciliation practices, the development of alternative penal measures, the compensation of class members through class action litigation, paperless justice, and so on. The project website (adaj.ca) details each of these key thrusts. "Each thrust draws on a combination of researcher proficiency and justice player knowledge to ensure that the research conducted inures to the benefit of both the people and the justice system as an institution. The object is to seek out tangible solutions to the challenges encountered by individuals accountable under the law," Mr Noreau goes on to say.

Backed by a $2.5 million grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and another $1.4 million from various project partners, work by the ADAJ consortium will be spread out over a period of six years. "The initiative is the most comprehensive research exercise of its kind throughout the country," underscores Vincent Gautrais, director of the Public Law Research Centre. "We are of course delighted that it is being developed and spearheaded here in Québec. ADAJ represents a model for others to replicate. Indeed, the project provides proof that it is possible to build bridges between legal academics and practitioners. In this instance, the research will clearly focus on the public wellbeing."

Originally developed within the framework of the Access to Justice Observatory, ADAJ helps foster the development of emerging professionals in the field of research about justice. "Over 150 students will assist project researchers," points up Jean-François Gaudreault-Desbiens, dean of the Faculty of Law at Université de Montréal. " ADAJ will serve as a veritable laboratory for research, training, action and change."

SOURCE Access to Law and Access to Justice (ADAJ)

Kilicom Public Relations, Ann-Julie Dion, 514 845-8222 x223, [email protected]; Stéphanie Quirion, 514 845-8222 x221, [email protected]