Skip to main content

Access to justice and human rights

Banner2:

Access to justice and human rights

Any right we have as individuals is only as good as our ability to enforce it. Access to justice broadly refers to the mechanisms for asserting a person’s rights and more specifically refers to how people access advice and the courts to resolve legal disputes.

People who are already disadvantaged and in vulnerable situations can experience barriers to accessing justice. Communities and individuals can experience violations of their human rights, including access to essentials such as food and housing. 

CAS works to ensure  

  • people’s rights are protected and realised  
  • Scotland provides equal access to justice for all, regardless of situation or location  
  • everyone can participate in fair proceedings to resolve issues, prevent detriment and pursue recourse when things go wrong.  

In an average month, bureaux provide more than 3,200 pieces of advice on legal proceedings across the country

In 2023/24, 31% of people supported by the network lived in the most deprived area (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintiles).  

The Citizens Advice network in Scotland supports some of the most marginalised and intersectionally disadvantaged communities and individuals across a wide range of issues – many relating to their human rights. In 2023/24, almost two-thirds of people we supported reported having a disability or long-term health condition, more than half were women and almost a third resided in the most deprived areas of Scotland.

Matt's experience

Matt has additional support needs  and receives benefits. He faced a decree last year, which claimed that he owed the estate of his late mother more than £150,000 plus interest and expenses. The claim related to allegations made by his siblings that he abused access to his mother's finances. Matt disputes the allegations strongly but did not defend the action, and so a decree against him for the sum was issued. Matt could not understand the language used in court documents  and by the solicitor relating to the summons. Navigation of legal procedure at the Court of Session was impossible for Matt without qualified legal representation which  he had been unable to get, as no law firms were willing to accept his legal aid case. 

Tina's story

Tina sought advice from a Central Scotland CAB after her ex-husband, who had been charged with domestic abuse, attempted to force the sale of their jointly-owned home. Tina and her two children are all registered as disabled and their home had been adapted to meet the family’s specific needs. The thought of losing it caused immense stress. Despite multiple attempts, she has been unable to secure legal representation.   

Related publications

Publication
cover-access-to-justice
Publication
cover-human-rights
Publication
cover-human-rights
Publication
cover-access-to-justice
Publication
cover-employment
Publication
cover-digital
Publication
cover-digital
Publication
cover-digital
Publication
cover-digital
Publication
cover-human-rights