Three ways in which technology is improving access to justice are remote access to judicial procedures and services, access to online legal information and assistance, and improving judicial processes. As these technological advances continue, we must intentionally use innovation to reinforce services rather than replace them. Recognizing the importance of national ownership in activities related to the rule of law, he stressed the need to provide technical assistance at the request of Governments within the framework of the respective funds and programs to avoid the imposition of pre-established models on Member States. He also called for the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for this purpose, and highlighted the absence of a single, consensual definition of the rule of law.
In addition, he condemned attempts to destabilize the democratic and constitutional order in any of the member States of the Movement and deeply regretted that, since 1967, the Palestinian people have suffered from the “brutal Israeli military occupation”. He urged States to undertake collective efforts to ensure respect for the legal obligations defined in the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. In addition, he also emphasized the importance of an advisory opinion on the legal consequences that result from the continuation of illegal policies and practices. Highlighting some examples of how technology is already promoting access to justice, he pointed to electronic and judicial electronic filing systems that allow parties to present cases and file online documents.
This reduces the need for physical visits to the courthouse, making processes more efficient and accessible. In addition, mobile apps, legal aid chatbots, and virtual assistants can lower the inhibition threshold for victims to contact legal experts. They can also meet the communication preferences of younger generations, he noted. Artificial intelligence tools, such as language translation, can be used to provide real-time translations during multilingual procedures, while machine learning can make predictions by evaluating case records.
However, these technologies need adequate control and accountability to be truly advantageous, he emphasized. Stressing the need to apply international law “without discrimination on the basis of nationality”, he emphasized that not protecting innocent civilians in Gaza is an unjustifiable moral error. He therefore called on the international community to ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza; to provide immediate assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); to end the occupation; and to ensure that the Palestinian people have the right to decide their own future. In addition, Israel must fulfill its obligations as an occupying Power and put an end to its inhumane policies towards the Palestinians, its indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population and infrastructure, its expansionist policies and its blockade of Gaza. All of this violates international law, he said, and observed that “war will only fuel war.
He added that achieving the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is the only way to protect the region from a spiral of violence and, therefore, to guarantee a lasting and sustainable peace. ASEAN has also been actively involved in anti-corruption initiatives and joint actions with partners in the region led to the creation of Southeast Asian Anti-Corruption Parties, he continued, noting that all ASEAN countries have ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Reaffirming the Association's focus on good governance, as well as its commitment to maintaining a culture of integrity and anti-corruption at all levels of its governmental interaction, it encouraged greater cooperation to promote government at the national and international levels. However, such efforts must comply with the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. Capacity-building in countries remains essential for promoting the rule of law, including ensuring effective, inclusive and accountable justice institutions.
The ASEAN Community Policy and Security Plan for 2025 seeks to promote a rules-based, people-oriented community centered on people and the rule of law, he said. ERIK LAURSEN (Denmark), speaking also on behalf of Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway and urging the international community to combat the global decline of the rule of law and women's rights, highlighted some positive developments, including the increase in the number of parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In addition, after many years of negotiations, the Assembly approved by consensus the legally binding instrument of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. That instrument currently has 82 signatories, including all members of his group, who have harnessed the potential of digital transformation to improve justice. Stressing that all people should benefit from this transformation, he said that digital participation must be unconditionally guaranteed to all social groups without any discrimination.
YANNICK ZERBE (Switzerland) noted that, at present, more than half of the world's population lives in countries where the rule of law is in decline. Stressing the need “to counteract this disturbing evolution, he emphasized that the rule of law is the basis of just, equitable and peaceful societies. “It should not leave new and emerging questions unanswered,” he added, stressing that it must govern both the digital sphere and the physical world. In addition, it must ensure the ethical use of digital technology and artificial intelligence and play an essential role in protecting the environment and promoting climate justice.
Stressing the link between the rule of law and accountability for international crimes, he emphasized the importance of international mechanisms such as those related to Syria, Myanmar and Daesh. In addition, he said that the current situation in Ukraine and the Middle East highlights the urgency of respecting the rule of law, especially in armed conflicts. MARITZA CHAN VALVERDE (Costa Rica), joining the Coalition for Action for Justice and the Group of Friends of the Rule of Law, noted progress in several areas, including support for international accountability mechanisms; economic reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence; and strengthening the State's capacity to combat terrorism. However, she noted that women are denied access to health care and education and that they often suffer gender-based violence and hate speech, especially on the Internet.
In addition, people suffer discrimination because of their place of birth or their religious beliefs. Access to justice is frequently denied and, every day, the most fundamental norms of human rights are violated. He therefore urged the Secretariat to improve the application of the rule of law in all its activities and to promote coherence among the entities that support this effort, including peace-keeping operations. AMMAR MOHAMMED MAHMOUD MOHAMMED (Sudan), joining the Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab Group and the African Group, added his agreement with the sentiment expressed in the Secretary-General's report that “the rule of law is the basis of multilateral cooperation and political dialogue. In addition, United Nations support for the rule of law will allow for the creation of societies where justice and equality reign.
Stressing that the Charter of the United Nations and its principles constitute a comprehensive framework for the rule of law at the international level, he said that all Member States should be able to participate in the Secretariat's initiatives and activities in this area. Ensuring the rule of law at the national and international levels is a fundamental duty of States and governments. It is also essential to balance the national and international dimensions of the rule of law, he said, and called for building national capacity “because this is the best way to start the process. Videoconferencing, the digital exchange of critical evidence and multilingual solutions are some of the game-changing tools.
As access improves, much more can be done with artificial intelligence and machine learning: automatically filling out court forms with all the necessary details, recommending the correct course of the case depending on the circumstances, bringing to light relevant case law to reinforce your case, and more. Access to justice ensures that everyone, regardless of their origin, can seek and obtain a fair resolution of legal issues. It's undeniable that the judicial divide is widening; however, technology could offer ways to fill the gaps. Next, we explore the relationship between technology and justice and examine how lawyers can use new tools and technology to help improve access to justice.
Courts now use remote and hybrid hearings in all 50 states for types of civil and criminal cases, according to the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), a group committed to driving innovation and progress in the courts and the judicial system. Improving the digital experience can also improve access to justice. For example, offering virtual audiences will make it easier for people to balance things like work or child care. BAHIA TAHZIB-LIE (Netherlands), speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Action for Justice, noted that the Coalition defends equal access to justice for all as part of Sustainable Development Goal 16. Noting the emerging challenges stemming from new technologies, artificial intelligence and cybercrime, he said that they should be addressed through the application of the international legal framework.
Legal aid has been drastically reduced in approximately the last decade, and “the fundamental right to access to justice has become increasingly difficult to defend over the past 10 years,” said the former president of the Law Society and former student of the Law University, Lubna Shuja. In this regard, the Peruvian delegate said that her Government is committed to creating the corresponding legal and ethical framework to protect the rights and privacy of citizens and, at the same time, to take advantage of the advantages of technology. The A2J Tech scholarship program offers 10-week paid summer scholarships to 1- and 2-year-old students who use technology to design legal empowerment solutions while doing an internship in a partner legal organization. While there are concerns that AI will replace lawyers, the reality is that AI tools and technology will support the work of legal professionals rather than do that their functions are redundant.
In broad daylight, access to justice is fundamentally a socio-economic issue, and ordinary citizens are the most affected. The ability of self-representing litigants to access a courtroom remotely, without having to travel, helps low-income individuals reduce the costs of accessing the court system. With nearly 20 years of product and marketing experience in software and technology, Mehlhase has developed advanced product strategies and has led global teams in a variety of industries. According to the Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN), a network of legal professionals and allies committed to promoting access to justice, it is estimated that three out of five litigants in civil cases go to court without a lawyer.
Using technology in legal practice and ensuring its accuracy will only benefit people if they can properly interact with the technology from the start. If these people could explain in their own words what their problems are to an artificial intelligence assistant who could take this information, analyze it and explain what they have to do, the judicial process would be simpler and much more accessible. The objective of this event was to improve access to justice in a cost-of-living crisis, and I participated in some thought-provoking round tables to discuss challenges and possible solutions around this topic. It also recognized its efforts to increase accountability for serious crimes under international law and to reinforce criminal accountability, including the achievements of the Special Criminal Court of the Central African Republic.