Legal reform is the process of enhancing integrity, transparency, efficiency and fairness in a nation’s law. This can include constitutional amendments, statutory changes and judicial interpretation. Many factors necessitate legal reform including the rise of litigation costs, advancements in technology and the need to address systemic injustices.
Structural reforms are often the most difficult to implement. These can be changes that change the shape of a nation’s legal institution, such as changing the size of a Supreme Court or altering the number of seats on a panel. Such changes can have far-reaching implications for the country’s political, economic and cultural life.
Regulatory reforms are also more challenging. These can be changes that change the way a state’s laws are interpreted or implemented, or they can be changing who does or doesn’t have access to legal services. The goal of these reforms is to help people navigate the legal system in a more efficient and affordable manner.
It is important to remember that the foundational narratives about crime and criminal justice, and views about the rationales for punishment, are deeply rooted in society’s culture and history. They are woven into the fabric of everyday experience and profoundly influence public definitions of the world around them. Thus, any productive conversation about law reform must acknowledge and engage with those foundational narratives to achieve meaningful and lasting change. This is particularly true when addressing issues like racial inequities and the role of modern technology in crime.