INTRODUCTION
The project “Improving Access to Civil Justice in Latin America” was developed and implemented by the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) with the technical and financial support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) from 2015 to 2022.
The goal of the project was to increase access to civil justice for individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly members of at-risk groups. To that end, JSCA has engaged in a broad effort to support, train and guide civil justice modernization and improvement initiatives related to access to justice developed in the region’s justice systems.
Over the course of the project, JSCA conducted studies, offered training activities, ran programs to exchange information, provided technical assistance, and engaged in other activities directed at the States and civil society in the region.
“Improving Access to Civil Justice in Latin America” has made significant progress towards implementing more equitable and efficient civil justice that respects the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings in the region.
The goal of the project was to increase access to civil justice for individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly members of at-risk groups. To that end, JSCA has engaged in a broad effort to support, train and guide civil justice modernization and improvement initiatives related to access to justice developed in the region’s justice systems.
Over the course of the project, JSCA conducted studies, offered training activities, ran programs to exchange information, provided technical assistance, and engaged in other activities directed at the States and civil society in the region.
“Improving Access to Civil Justice in Latin America” has made significant progress towards implementing more equitable and efficient civil justice that respects the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings in the region.
COUNTRY OUTREACH
This project has had a direct reach in 12 countries in the Americas:
1.- Argentina
2.- Brazil
3.- Bolivia
4.- Colombia
5.- Chile
6.- Ecuador
7.- El Salvador
8.- Honduras
9.- Guatemala
10.- Mexico
11.- Nicaragua
12.- Peru
Testimonies
JSCA offered first-rate training through its program on civil justice reform to Peruvian justice operators, supporting the implementation of oral civil proceedings. This allowed us to implement a reform initiated by judges rather than legislators. We turned the written process into one focused on oral hearings and procedural added value. JSCA also reached an advising agreement with the Peruvian Judiciary, which contributed to the creation of oral civil procedures pilot programs that are changing civil justice service in Peru for the better. The highest authority in Peru’s Judiciary has accepted JSCA's recommendations and today the Peruvian justice system is being overhauled. This is likely the first justice reform to come from judges, who are now waiting for the respective laws to be passed.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to complete a research internship at Osgoode University with JSCA’s support. I was very excited to be selected and received a great deal of support from JSCA prior to, during and after my trip. Osgoode University’s structure is fantastic, and the professors were very willing to contribute to our research. It was a very important learning experience, and I am grateful to JSCA for the opportunity.
Civil judges in Peru were tired of having to use a mostly written, slow, disorganized, and inefficient process. In 2017, we made the unprecedented and voluntary decision to promote a shift towards oral civil proceedings in which the civil judge actually directs the proceedings without having to wait for the Legislative or Executive Branches to take the initiative. However, we needed a prestigious, serious external institution to support our project, and JSCA was the perfect choice. We signed an inter-institutional support agreement with the Center that was fundamental to implementing the first pilot project for a Civil Corporate Oral Litigation Model in Peru and to training judges from all areas of the system. JSCA’s support contributed to the success of the project.
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