A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF JUDICIAL REFORMS AND LEGAL ACCESS STRATEGIES IN THE AGE OF CYBERCRIME AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of cybercrime and the increasing reliance on digital evidence have presented unprecedented challenges for judicial systems worldwide, prompting the urgent need for legal reform and equitable access to justice. This systematic review synthesizes and critically evaluates global literature on judicial reforms and legal access strategies specifically addressing the demands of cybercrime and the management of digital evidence. Employing the PRISMA 2020 framework, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, Hein Online, Google Scholar, and SSRN resulting in the identification and full-text assessment of 142 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024. The findings reveal a global trend toward the institutionalization of cybercrime courts, procedural modernization, and legal capacity-building aimed at equipping judicial actors with the technical knowledge required to handle complex digital evidence. Simultaneously, the review highlights evolving evidentiary standards, such as the codification of digital authentication mechanisms, and the increasing formalization of protocols governing digital forensic integrity. Importantly, access to justice in the digital age emerges as both a challenge and an area of innovation, with several jurisdictions adopting digital legal aid platforms, virtual courts, and inclusive legal service models that aim to bridge the digital divide. Furthermore, the review identifies growing international legal harmonization, including reforms driven by the Budapest Convention and recent bilateral frameworks like the CLOUD Act, which aim to address cross-border jurisdictional complexities in cybercrime investigation and prosecution. Despite these advancements, significant disparities persist between high-capacity and resource-constrained legal systems, particularly in terms of technological infrastructure, digital literacy, and procedural safeguards. Overall, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the multi-dimensional strategies employed globally to align judicial systems with the evolving digital landscape. It contributes to the growing body of scholarship on digital justice by offering a structured synthesis of reforms, challenges, and comparative insights that inform future legal, institutional, and policy development.