Modernization as an enhancer of access to Justice and of proximity between key actors

Abstract

As claimed by Richard Susskind (2017, 2019), Justice is changing, not only as a necessity, but as consequence of society demands. This paper analyses the way public policies have changed in the last 10 years and how modernization can be perceived both as an enhancer and as a cause of that change, specifically regarding the judicial system. The paper focuses on the interviews conducted with key actors at the level of public policies’ definition, which aimed to understand Portuguese Public Administration in general, and the judicial system particularly. The major results of these interviews led to the conclusion that the judicial system is now at the center of a major development, enabled by the need to adapt to societal transformations and actors’ demands. Also, in what Portugal is concerned, because of the European Union (EU) integration and the adaptation to its goals