Evidence-based justice

Evidence-Based Justice

Our law research combines legal expertise with insight and methods from social sciences to identify and understand sources of injustice and inform evidence-based practice and policy.

Identifying areas of injustice through data-driven research.

We collect and analyse [qualitative and quantitative] data to identify and understand sources of injustice in the legal system, including through our specialist interdisciplinary lab, the Evidence-Based Justice Lab. Our work explores jury decision making, the origins of false guilty pleas, evidence assessment, the effectiveness of legislation to target misinformation and disinformation, the impact of unjust accusation on mental health, the trajectories and psychologies of ethical malpractice, attainment gaps in professional education, and professional governance. This work is shaping the practical frameworks that will guide meaningful change at institutional and individual levels, including on criminal and civil justice including evidence assessment in criminal justice, legal professional regulation, the conduct of litigation, and corporate governance.  

By addressing these critical areas, we aim to empower lawyers and policymakers with information that will allow them to address the underlying causes of miscarriages of justice and ineffective regulatory frameworks that we have seen ruin thousands of lives.

“One of our strengths at the University of Exeter is our focus on collaborative, multidisciplinary work that allows us to draw on insight from law, sociology, psychology, data sciences and human geography. The grounding of our work in Behavioural Sciences allows us to design data collection in a way that enhances the reliability of our conclusions.”

Professor Rebecca Helm

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A metal bracket holding an oval shaped red and white sign which says Post Office

Ethical failures in the Post Office Scandal

Professor Richard Moorhead and his team’s pathbreaking research examines the ethical dilemmas faced by lawyers, the systemic failures that can lead to wrongful convictions, and the mental health impacts of unjust accusation.

Their work on the Post Office Horizon Scandal highlights the importance of legal professionals upholding the highest ethical standards, while their advocacy for reforms in lawyer conduct and decision-making is driving positive change within the legal system.

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Evidence-Driven Research to Inform Law and Policy

Professor Rebecca Helm’s pioneering work as director of the Evidence-Based Justice Lab is combining rigorous empirical research grounded in behavioural science with more traditional legal research in order to promote the effective translation of scientific work into legal policy and practice.  

Professor Helm and the Lab team have established the UK's first searchable Miscarriages of Justice registry, providing invaluable insights into the systemic issues and pressures that contribute to wrongful convictions. By harnessing the power of data, their work is empowering researchers, policymakers, and legal professionals worldwide to drive meaningful reforms to create more fair and effective legal policy.

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We work with many colleagues at other institutions across the world on joint research and education projects. Connect with our academic community and explore exciting new possibilities.

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