Cost of seeking justice can be prohibitively high for those without significant financial resources or access to powerful legal teams. And the legal system is difficult for ordinary people to follow, especially when up against government agencies or large corporations.

This imbalance poses significant challenges, and the consequences can be severe for “the little guys” who are already marginalized.

Remember all Acts, statutes, codes, rules and regulations contain  language fraud.  The courts know this fact. Your mission is to prove the fraud, especially when language is used deceptively against you.

That’s the cost of seeking justice.

Here are some of the key costs and barriers faced by individuals without deep pockets or top legal representation:

1. Cost Of Seeking Legal Help

Legal Fees: Legal representation can be extremely expensive, particularly when dealing with complex or protracted cases against powerful entities. Top lawyers and law firms can charge high hourly rates, and even relatively simple cases can result in substantial bills. For individuals without substantial financial resources, this often means choosing between securing justice and meeting basic living expenses.

Court Costs: Beyond attorney fees, there are often court filing fees, expert witness fees, and other associated costs that can add up quickly. For someone without significant financial backing, these costs may be insurmountable, forcing them to abandon legal action or settle for less than they deserve.
Prolonged Litigation: Legal battles, especially those against large corporations or government bodies, can drag on for years. The longer the case continues, the more it costs in legal fees, making it even more difficult for individuals without deep pockets to keep pursuing justice.

2. Cost of Seeking Justice, Losing, and Paying Opponents’ Costs

In many legal systems, if a party loses a case, they may be required to pay the legal costs of the opposing side. This can be devastating for individuals, especially when facing government agencies or corporations with virtually unlimited resources.

This “cost-shifting” rule can discourage ordinary people from pursuing legal action for fear of losing and being left with crippling debts.

For example, in some defamation cases or class actions, losing the case could mean paying the extensive legal costs of the corporate defendant, which may amount to millions of dollars. This financial risk can act as a strong deterrent.

3. Seeking Justice With Pro Bono Legal Support

Pro Bono Services: While some lawyers and organizations offer pro bono (free) legal support, the number of cases they can take on is limited, and they typically prioritize specific issues like civil rights, discrimination, or environmental law. As a result, many ordinary individuals—especially those without access to community legal centers or advocacy groups—are left to face legal battles without sufficient representation.

Legal Aid Limitations: Government-funded legal aid is often limited to certain types of cases and low-income individuals. Due to financial constraints, legal aid services are overwhelmed and cannot provide support to everyone who needs it. This is particularly true for civil cases, where individuals may not qualify for assistance, leaving them vulnerable when up against larger institutions.

4. Cost of Complex Legal System

Legal systems are often complex, with intricate rules and procedures that can be difficult to navigate without expert legal knowledge. Even if individuals try to represent themselves, they may struggle with things like filing deadlines, procedural requirements, and legal jargon.

This lack of access to expertise means that ordinary people may not fully understand their rights or how to effectively fight for them, putting them at a further disadvantage.

Example: A person facing unlawful eviction, unfair dismissal, or discrimination may not know how to challenge those actions in court or negotiate a settlement, especially when corporate or governmental legal teams are armed with vast resources and years of experience.

5. Cost of Psychological and Emotional Health

Stress and Anxiety: Pursuing a legal case can be emotionally taxing, especially when the odds are stacked against you. The ongoing stress of litigation, combined with the financial strain and uncertainty, can take a toll on an individual’s mental health, especially when they lack the resources to fight back.

Disempowerment: When individuals feel that the legal system is out of their reach, they may experience a sense of disempowerment. The knowledge that corporations or governments can afford expensive legal teams while they can barely make ends meet can be demoralizing

This can lead to a lack of faith in the justice system and a belief that it is only available to those with money and power.

6. Cost of Seeking Out-of-Court Deals
Many individuals, especially those with fewer resources, may be pressured into settling legal disputes out of court. Or they accept settlements that don’t fully compensate them for their losses. Corporate defendants often offer settlements as a way to avoid lengthy and costly litigation, knowing that many individuals cannot afford to continue fighting.

Class Action Limits: Class action lawsuits allow groups of people to collectively challenge corporate wrongdoing. Yet many individuals in such cases receive very small payouts, while lawyers and law firms take a large portion of the settlement. This means that even when it’s achieved, the cost of seeking justice doesn’t provide meaningful relief for the individuals involved.

7. Institutional Biases and Corruption

Corporate Influence: Courts can be influenced by corporate interests. Specially in countries where political and business ties are strong. Major corporations exert influence over judicial appointments. Or they lobby for laws that favor their interests. So the legal system may be less inclined to rule against powerful corporate interests.

Public Perception of Bias: Large corporations or government entities often win cases through their sheer legal and financial power. Protect the brand at all costs!

This perception of bias can dissuade individuals from seeking justice, where they feel the deck’s stacked against them.

Hope for Change?

Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope:

Legal Reforms: There have been increasing calls for reforms in the justice system to make it more accessible. “Loser pays” laws aim to reduce the risk to individuals by limiting the costs of losing.

Crowdsourced Funding (e.g., GoFundMe). Now people can raise funds their legal battles. Some individuals raise substantial amounts of money to pay for their legal fees.

Public Interest Lawyers and Advocacy Groups: Some public interest lawyers and advocacy groups now focus economic and social justice issues.

Reforms to Legal Aid and Access to Justice. Expanding access to justice through improvements to legal aid funding or introducing systems for “low bono” or affordable legal services.

Cost of seeking justice seems like an uphill battle… Though people are waking up. And many are pushing for systemic changes to make legal systems more equitable for people without deep pockets.

Remember all Acts, statutes, codes, rules and regulations contain  language fraud.  The courts know this fact. Your mission is to prove the fraud, especially when language is used deceptively against you.

That’s the cost of seeking justice.