Sandefur will explore the role of the civil justice system in exacerbating social inequality. Using survey and administrative data and interviews, she will investigate the prevalence and impact of civil justice problems, such as discrimination, debt, and renters’ issues. She will study how individuals think about civil justice problems, including why they do or do not pursue legal action. She will also examine how access to the civil justice system differs by race and socioeconomic status, and evaluate interventions designed to ameliorate civil justice problems and reduce inequality.