The purpose of this pilot study was to establish a scientifically defensible baseline for assessing access to justice for women of Karachi. Views and experience about the justice system and the concept of justice were collected from 1881 women in a household survey, 40 gender stratified focus groups, interviews with 12 key NGO service workers and 38 police officers, and institutional reviews of 19 police stations in Karachi. The study investigated coverage of the justice system, its use by women and the experience and perceptions of users, nonuser and service workers.