Commonwealth Unveils Sweeping Legal Reforms for Equal Access to Justice
The Commonwealth Secretariat has unveiled a comprehensive package of legal reforms, following a four-day conference involving ministers representing over a billion people. The package, shaped with input from diverse stakeholders, includes measures to improve access to justice, protect vulnerable groups, and enhance legal resources.
The Secretariat presented key papers in the fields of energy and extractives, including a carbon tax model law and an oil and gas decommissioning guide. Ministers, however, focused on legal reforms. They resolved to intensify efforts to remove barriers to access to justice and address the legal needs of all citizens. The Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasised the 'absolutely critical' nature of these measures for equal access to justice.
Ministers recognised the Secretariat's tech-driven justice solutions and work on artificial intelligence. They adopted guidelines on the treatment of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and welcomed new legal resources such as a mediation guide, a small claims court app, and a database for criminal matter cooperation. The package also includes improved access to justice for people with disabilities, a model law on virtual assets, a new action plan to protect women from online violence, and a proposal to eliminate gender-discriminatory legislation.
Ministers adopted these provisions and requested the Law Ministers Action Group to report progress at the next meeting, which is set to be hosted in February 2026, although the specific location is yet to be confirmed. The package summarises the outcome statement issued by ministers, reflecting their commitment to advancing justice and equality across the Commonwealth.
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