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Research

Helping to build a better justice system through data and empirical evidence.

Research at VLF focuses on the legal and related needs of Victorians, and over time, will make a significant contribution to the Victorian justice system.

Discover how people understand and engage with the law

The Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS) is ground-breaking research to understand legal capability, attitudes, and experience of the law in Victoria.

We have developed a stand-alone website to support the PULS and house PULS related content.

Read PULS Volume 1 on the PULS website

A watch maker adjusting the back of an open clock.Data Mapping project: Calibrating Justice

Calibrating Justice: The use and utility of administrative data in Victoria’s civil justice system is the fourth and final report in the Data Mapping Project.

Read the report

International Access to Justice Forum 2023

In partnership with UCI Law Initiative for Inclusive Civil Justice, we hosted the 2023 Forum in Irvine, California on October 11-13.

Learn more about the Forum

Research projects and publications

Measuring legal capability

Developing legal capability measures and using them to form policy insights is central to our research.

Research projects

Our research program covers institutional and general public perspectives.

Research reports

Our research reports focus on the legal and related needs of Victorians.

Research papers

We write papers on access to justice and legal need issues.

Submissions

We make submissions that draw on research on access to justice and legal need.

Research news

Notes from the International Forum on Access to Justice

Mon 6 Nov 2023
A great reminder that we’re not alone in the issues we face, and that smart people are working on clever responses to sticky problems to get help to people for their everyday legal problems.
The Public Understanding of Law Survey Volume 1: Everyday Problems and Legal Need

PULS Volume 1 shows gaps in how people understand and engage with the law

Wed 30 Aug 2023
Today Victoria Law Foundation launched the first report from the ground-breaking research project - the Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS).
A watch maker adjusting the back of an open clock.

VLF’s final Data Mapping Project report: Calibrating Justice

Tue 8 Aug 2023
The final report in the Data Mapping Project summarises the findings and implications, including how administrative data could help to close knowledge gaps, and support an accessible, modern civil justice system.

Research at Victoria Law Foundation

Research Network

Connecting the justice, community and academic sectors around legal research and evaluation related to access to justice.

Our research plan

The actions we will take and the areas of law we will explore over the next three years.

Contact the Research Team

Contact our Research Team via email or send an online enquiry.

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