Reframing justice – our research

Over the last 20 years, the rule of law and access to justice have been undermined by cuts to court funding, legal education and legal aid.

02 May 2025

4 minutes read

Claims of ‘lefty lawyers’ and judges as ‘enemies of the people’ endangering the national interest have entered public discourse.

When essential concepts like the rule of law and access to justice are overlooked, weaponised or misunderstood, we must find new ways to talk about them.

Evidence-based communication tools can help build understanding of the rule of law and access to justice as vital to everyday life – and provide resilience against future threats.

We worked with FrameWorks UK and advocates across the fields of law and justice to develop a framing strategy to meet this challenge.

The research

Our research set out to:

form an evidence-base of what works to shift public thinking and build support for change
share practical recommendations, tools and advice on how to communicate around law and justice
shape a long-term strategic communications approach to help the field of law and justice in our shared mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the justice system

The research took place in two phases over 2023 and 2024. It was supported by two working groups, with Law Society staff and representatives from organisations working across law and justice.

Talking about access to justice and the rule of law

2024 phase two: developing a framing strategy

To bridge the gaps identified in our phase one research, we developed and tested new ways to communicate about access to justice and the rule of law.

Our research helped us develop a framing strategy to foster collective support and a sense of shared responsibility for strengthening the justice system.

The strategy places the rule of law and access to justice at the centre of everyday life and government decision-making.

At its core is the idea that the rule of law and access to justice are how we prioritise and promote the public good — responsibilities that our government has a duty to champion, properly fund and maintain.

How do people think about the rule of law and access to justice?

2023 phase one: identifying how people talk about the rule of law and access to justice

We found key gaps between what experts in the fields of law and justice understand by the ‘rule of law’ and ‘access to justice’ and what the public hear and understand.

For example:

To see the infographic about this topic, please refer to the live page.

Across 2023, Frameworks UK carried out interviews with experts.

It also reviewed academic and grey literature (information produced outside of traditional commercial publishing channels) as well as the communication materials of organisations across the wider justice and legal fields.

Frameworks UK aimed to distil what experts in the field have been trying to communicate about the rule of law and access to justice, in particular:

why they matter
how they work, and
how we can better uphold and protect them

To identify common mindsets about the rule of law and access to justice, Frameworks UK also:

carried out in-depth interviews
surveyed a representative sample of voters in England and Wales
reviewed media coverage

In total, 7, 231 people across England and Wales participated.

Mindsets are more than people’s surface attitudes or opinions. They are deep, assumed patterns of thinking that shape how we see the world and how we act within it.

Understanding mindsets means we can understand how people think – and what understanding we still need to build.

What this means for solicitors

For our members, building public understanding of your vital role starts with reframing how we talk about your work.

Our research and tools are designed to help:

Illustrate how solicitors help society function – effectively and fairly

When people understand the rule of law fosters a fairer, more balanced, and unified society, they are more likely to recognise the vital role you play in upholding it and ensuring access to justice.

Draw parallels with other professions

By highlighting the public's expectations of doctors and other professionals, you can show how the same principles apply to the legal profession.

Showcase legal services in action

It’s important to demonstrate how you meet the diverse legal needs of communities.

For example, free housing advice clinics, pro bono representation at employment tribunals or paid legal support for new businesses.

Explore the full research

Talking about the rule of law and access to justice – framing strategy (PDF 681 KB, February 2025) – centres the rule of law and access to justice in everyday life and government decision-making

Research supplement (PDF 804 KB, February 2025) – outlines the research and findings in more detail

Field frame analysis: how are advocates talking about the rule of law and access to justice? (PDF 247 KB, July 2023) – explores the narratives and frames used by advocates to communicate about the rule of law and access to justice

Core ideas from the field of law and justice (PDF 178 KB, May 2023) – summary of the core ideas held by experts across the filed of law and justice about the rule of law and access to justice