Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in western New South Wales, PhD candidate Patricia Vagg has a deep connection to rural Australia. Now, through her research at the University of New England’s Law School, Patricia is on a mission to address the challenges residents in far western NSW face in accessing legal services. Her study looks at barriers that rural communities encounter when seeking legal help and explores ways to make these services more effective and accessible.
“People in remote areas often struggle to get legal help,” Patricia explains. “It’s not as simple as it is in a city. There are issues with distance, availability, and even knowing where to start. I want to learn from the people living in these areas, as well as the lawyers who serve them, to understand what’s working and what needs to change.”
Patricia’s interest in rural justice grew from personal experience and her work as a solicitor. “I’ve lived in remote areas, and I’ve seen how difficult it can be to access health, education, and legal services,” she says.
“A few years ago, I was part of a project supporting regional students, and I saw a real overlap in the way people struggle to access education, health, and legal help. That made me wonder how legal services could be improved for rural Australians.”
Her research focuses on the importance of accessible legal support in preventing issues from escalating. “Imagine getting a fine for not wearing a helmet,” she says. “If you can’t afford it and don’t have access to legal advice, you might lose your license. Without a license, you can’t get to work. Suddenly, a small issue leads to losing your job and possibly even your home. With timely legal help, a lot of these situations could be avoided.”
Although much research has been done on access to health and education in rural areas, Patricia points out that legal access hasn’t received the same attention.
“There’s so much that can be done to make legal services more relevant and responsive for people in remote NSW,” she notes. “I hope my work helps bring awareness to these issues and starts a conversation about practical solutions.”
There’s so much that can be done to make legal services more relevant and responsive for people in remote NSW.
To make her research as impactful as possible, Patricia is seeking interviews with residents and legal practitioners in far western NSW. These conversations will provide valuable insights into how people in rural areas navigate the legal system.
“I’m really grateful to everyone willing to share their stories.
“Listening to their experiences is one of the most exciting parts of this project. Their insights will shape what I can offer in my findings and could lead to better service models.”
Patricia’s study is set to wrap up in 2025, but she sees potential beyond her thesis. “I’d love to present at the International Access to Justice Forum in Toronto. Rural Canada has similar challenges with long distances, extreme climates, and remote communities,” she says. “UNE’s support has been fantastic, and my supervisor at the AgLaw Centre has been instrumental in helping me develop this research.”
For anyone in far western NSW interested in sharing their experience, Patricia invites residents and practitioners alike to join her study.
“Everyone deserves access to justice, no matter where they live. Together, we can help make legal support more accessible for rural communities.”
Everyone deserves access to justice, no matter where they live.
If you would like to participate in the research and be interviewed about your experiences of legal problems and legal services in western NSW, email Patricia Vagg at 𝗽𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗴@𝗺𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗲.𝗲𝗱𝘂.𝗮𝘂.
