Older people and access to justice

This chapter addresses the concept of justice and how this is envisioned, interpreted and experienced in the context of older people’s lives. Specifically, the authors ask: what does it mean for older people to have access to justice? The authors look first at what access to justice means in the legal and policy context and, in so doing, consider the micro and macro ramifications for older people. The chapter then provides evidence from research undertaken by the authors exemplifying the types of issues characterising the legal context within which justice may (or may not) be experienced by older people. A key recommendation here is for the development of joined-up teams of professionals, combining legal, health and social work expertise, to provide more relevant assistance to older people. Never has it been so important to interrogate the issues associated with this question, particularly in the context of upheavals currently happening around the world and especially because of armed conflicts and wars, where we know that older people are often disproportionately disadvantaged. The world has also witnessed this in the concerning way in which older people were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic.