Access Portals for Citizens and Small Businesses

In the Netherlands, there is a wide range of different forms of legal aid and there are many options for solving legal problems. For citizens and small entrepreneurs, it is often complicated to choose a route that best suits their legal problem. One solution to this is an access portal through which citizens and entrepreneurs receive support in finding the right (legal) assistance and routes for conflict resolution.

This study identifies six access portals from abroad that can serve as inspiration for an access portal in the Netherlands. These are the Medical Legal Partnership and the Multidoor Courthouse in the United States, the Citizen Advice Bureau in England and Wales, the Chotei in Japan, the Schlichtungsverfahren in Switzerland and Court Connected Mediation in Finland. On the basis of the experiences in these countries, three models for a Dutch access portal are outlined. The researchers also initiate further discussion and debate.

This book is of interest to legal practicioners, policy makers and administrators involved in legal aid, conflict resolution and justice.