The need for social distancing, the closure of judicial units Phone Number List and restrictions on movement had significant consequences for the routine of courts, access to justice and the work of lawyers.
In this article, we will discuss the main impacts of this crisis in the legal context and the measures adopted to deal with the challenges presented, in addition, we will comment on law in times of pandemic, in addition to the challenges faced.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 Pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, originated in the city of Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. The virus quickly spread globally, reaching alarming proportions and being recognized as a health emergency public by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The spread of the virus occurred mainly through close contact between infected people, either through respiratory droplets or through contact with contaminated surfaces. This high transmissibility characteristic has led to rapid spread of the virus across the world.
The pandemic has had a profound impact on all sectors of society. In the health sector, hospitals and healthcare professionals faced unprecedented demand, with the need to deal with a large number of serious cases of COVID-19.
The healthcare system in many countries has become overwhelmed, resulting in shortages of medical resources, hospital beds and personal protective equipment.
Furthermore, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy. The restriction and lockdown measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus led to the closure of companies, mass layoffs and a widespread economic recession. Sectors such as tourism, aviation, entertainment and retail have been particularly affected.
When it comes to the justice system, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges. Social distancing and movement restrictions resulted in the closure of judicial units and the suspension of in-person hearings. This caused procedural delays, backlogs of cases and difficulties in accessing justice.
The judicial system had to adapt quickly, implementing measures such as virtual hearings, electronic processes and digital platforms to guarantee the continuity of legal activities.
Furthermore, the crisis has brought to light legal issues related to the pandemic, such as contractual conflicts, civil liability issues, labor disputes and human rights violations. The ability of the judicial system to handle these cases and ensure justice in times of crisis was an additional challenge faced by the courts.
Access to Justice during the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, access to justice faced several challenges. Travel restrictions and the closure of offices and judicial units have made it difficult for people to access necessary legal assistance.
One of the main barriers was the difficulty in physical contact between lawyers and clients. Many law firms have had to close their doors or adopt remote work, which has limited direct access to legal services.
Additionally, some people may have faced difficulties in finding a lawyer available to assist them, especially in areas most affected by the crisis.
The virtualization of judicial activities also brought challenges to access to justice. In-person hearings were suspended in many cases, being replaced by virtual hearings.
Although this measure allowed legal proceedings to continue, it created a barrier for those who do not have internet access or digital skills.
Furthermore, there are criticisms that virtual hearings would not be able to reflect the physical conditions in which prisoners could be found. The lack of adequate technological infrastructure may have excluded certain groups from effective participation in the justice system.
Another challenge was access to updated legal information. The pandemic has brought rapid changes to laws and regulations, and people need to be aware of their legal rights and obligations during this time.
However, the lack of access to reliable and up-to-date legal information may have made it difficult to fully exercise legal rights.
To deal with these exposed challenges, some measures were adopted. Courts and law firms sought to use communication technologies, such as videoconferences and digital platforms (such as Zoom, Google Meet, among others) to maintain contact with their clients and partners, always updating them as much as possible.
However, it is important to recognize that not everyone has equal access to these technologies and resources. Vulnerable groups, such as low-income people, people in vulnerable situations, those without fixed housing and people in rural or remote areas, may face even more difficulties in accessing justice during the pandemic.