The Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS)
The PULS is a Victoria-wide survey to understand how people see, understand and engage with the law.
People
The PULS unites world leading experts on access to justice, legal need and capability with Australia’s best known and longest established market research company.
The PULS project is led by the Victoria Law Foundation research team, including Dr Hugh M. McDonald and international experts on legal need, legal capability and public understanding of law.
We are also working closely with internationally renowned expertise in Professor Nigel J. Balmer (AU), Professors Pascoe Pleasence (UK) and Rebecca L. Sandefur (USA).
Governance
The governance structure includes a high-level steering group made up of sector organisations, an advisory group providing technical advice, and a working group with Victoria Legal Aid.
The PULS benefits greatly from the input of our steering and advisory groups which include representation from government, legal assistance organisations, regulators and academia.
Funding
The PULS is funded through the Public Purpose Fund of the Victorian Legal Services Board, with further support from Victoria Legal Aid.
Fieldwork
The PULS fieldwork was conducted by Roy Morgan Research– Australia’s best known and longest established market research company.
Roy Morgan Research have extensive experience of legal need research, having conducted fieldwork for the Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales’ LAW Survey.
Contact
If you would like to know more, contact the VLF Reseach team and one of our team members will be in contact.
The hidden legal crisis in rental housing
Watch our recent Research Network webinar to explore the critical links between housing insecurity and legal need.
Publications
Resources
Related topics
The Public Understanding of Law Survey is a face-to-face survey of 6,000 respondents across Victoria.
The Public Understanding of Law Survey will cover a range of everyday problems and the impact they can have on people’s lives.
The Public Understanding of Law Survey has some familiar elements, but the combination of legal need and capability is the first of its kind.
The hidden legal crisis in rental housing
Watch our recent Research Network webinar to explore the critical links between housing insecurity and legal need.