How to talk about access to justice and the rule of law

Lead with public service

Show the role of access to justice and the rule of law in everyday life.

Demonstrate how underfunding our justice system denies us a public service, one as vital as education or healthcare.

How to do it:

• connect the rule of law and access to justice to public service
• explain how, like other public services, they meet our essential needs
• invoke the expectations we have of public services – like availability to all, or prioritising the public good

Tip: show examples of public service in action – like a free clinic for housing advice, pro bono support at an employment tribunal or paid work to set up a new business.

Tip: emphasise different aspects of public service – either the ‘ideal of public service’ or the ‘function of public services’ – depending on need.

Focus on what we have to gain

Most people are sceptical that the rule of law and access to justice can be improved or that improvements would materially benefit their lives.

Focus on the actions we can take.

How to do it:

• talk about how the rule of law and access to justice can and should work
• connect a strong rule of law with outcomes that benefit families and communities
• explain how actions that improve access to justice also improve our everyday lives

Tip: balance urgency (we need to act) with efficacy (we can act) in both tone and content. This helps show that change is both necessary and possible.

Tip: share a range of benefits for both society and our everyday lives – from clearer laws to fairer workplaces. Concrete examples bring abstract concepts to life.

Appeal to our shared belief in fairness for the common good

People believe in acting fairly, for our common good.

We need to show how a strong rule of law and full access to justice is vital to the collective good of society.

How to do it:

• talk about our shared belief in acting for the common good
• position a strong rule of law and full access to justice as vital to our collective good
• include implicit or explicit references to fairness, to signal that prioritising our common good means our legal system must be a level playing field for all

Tip: share specific examples of what’s possible when we prioritise fairness for the common good. Like proper pay for work, including benefits and overtime. This helps bridge the gap between an abstract principle and real life.

Tip: collectivise the issue. Use words like ‘we,’ ‘us’ and ‘ours’ to widen perspective and get people thinking collectively early on.

Tip: avoid mythbusting – make our case for fairness for our common good instead. Mythbusting often inadvertently strengthens and reinforces myths.

Use metaphor

Use the metaphor ‘rules of the game’ and ‘level playing field’ to build understanding of how the rule of law and access to justice work.

How to do it: ‘rule of law as rules of the game’

• compare the rule of law in society to the rules of the game: vital for it to function and function well
• explain the harm caused when rules are broken or aren’t enforced independently or fairly
• explain what’s made possible when we all know and follow the rules – like teamwork or a shared code of conduct

How to do it: ‘access to justice as a level playing field’

• compare full access to our justice system to a level playing field: vital for everyone taking part to have a fair chance
• explain how it’s harder to seek justice when we are forced to play uphill
• explain how a level playing field must be actively maintained

Tip: get creative. Use different images and synonyms to convey and extend the ideas of ‘rules of the game’ and ‘level playing field.’ Like a level footing, stable ground, and maintaining the grounds.

Name and explain connections to our everyday lives

People easily connect the rule of law and access to justice to crime and punishment, but not to everyday life.

We need to name and explain how together, they shape our lives, from how we’re treated at work, to the health and security of our homes.

How to do it:

• talk explicitly about the role of the rule of law and access to justice in daily life
• give concrete examples – but not an exhaustive list. Choose one or two and explain the connections well
• pair this recommendation with others. Where possible, focus on everyday examples of what we have to gain

Tip: start with secure homes and fairer jobs. In our research, examples from housing and employment significantly raised left-leaning voters’ support for policy change

Tip: use straightforward language and shared reference points where possible. Acronyms, insider prose and technical language signals that this is an issue for other people.

Building an outline narrative

These recommendations are designed to work together to strengthen our communications – but we don’t need to use every recommendation, every time.

Effective narratives answer three questions:

• what’s this about and why does it matter?
• how does this work, or if it’s not working, why not?
• what can we do about it?

Each of these questions can be answered using one of the recommendations in this toolkit.

Our answers form the basis of an overarching narrative – one that can be used in different ways, for different audiences and purposes.

Content checklist

1. Start with public service

• show different examples of justice as a public service
• emphasise different aspects of public service in our justice system

2. Focus on what we have to gain

• share solutions, as well as problems
• balance urgency and efficacy in tone and content

3. Talk about our shared belief in acting for the common good, early and often

• use ‘we’ ‘us’ or ‘ours’
• sequence access to justice messages: start with everyone, then get specific

4. Explain how the rule of law and access to justice work using the rules of the game and level playing field metaphor

• extend these metaphors to explain what is working, what isn’t and what change is needed

5. Name and explain connections to our everyday lives

• use straightforward, human language and shared reference points