Legal reform is the process of changing laws, policies and institutions to improve justice or efficiency. A wide variety of legal reform issues arise, including:
For example, a rise in litigation costs necessitates changes to law regarding digital transactions and privacy. Other areas of legal reform involve adjusting to technological advances and keeping up with the times, such as changing laws regarding cybercrime, tort reform and class action procedures.
In addition, there are societal implications of legal reform: laws frame our societal norms and rights. Therefore, legal reforms can influence a wide range of aspects of daily life, eliciting social change as well as economic development.
CUNY scholars have been deeply involved in the study of legal reform at both the federal and local levels. This article takes a closer look at some of these reforms, such as bail and discovery/appearance ticket reform.
The article explores the genesis of these reforms and their impact on society. It outlines the steps in the legal reform process, from initial investigations and brainstorming to drafting and revising the new laws. It also discusses some of the obstacles to legal reform, such as political opposition and lack of public support.
In addition, the article examines some of the potential benefits of these reforms, such as reduced legal aid costs and improved access to civil justice for everyone. The article concludes by arguing that the future of legal reform should focus on closing the justice gap and ensure that new models (like alternative business structures and regulatory sandboxes) do not create unintended consequences.
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