The law plays an essential role in public health responses to HIV and in the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, evidence on the legal issues experienced by PLHIV remains limited. This review identifies literature on the justiciable (‘legal’) issues experienced by PLHIV in high-income countries, and their health-related impacts. 

A systematic search strategy was designed to capture existing evidence on justiciable issues and their health-related impacts with particular reference to the HIV Cascade of Care, including quality of life, and health-system functioning. The strategy yielded 89 relevant records. The analysis indicates that justiciable issues arise for PLHIV across multiple areas of law, and that these issues have health-related effects across multiple areas of social, economic and community life, with impacts on HIV prevention, diagnosis, initiation of and retention in care, treatment access and viral suppression, and good health-related quality of life and wellbeing. 

While the included studies reflect a continued interest in the criminal law and its application to HIV status, disclosure and transmission, the literature indicates a growing body of research in other areas. The nexus between HIV and the law extends well beyond HIV-specific legal provisions and beyond provisions that directly concern health. The results of this review provide an overview of legal barriers to appropriate HIV care and interventions in OECD countries, with specific legal needs and law-related challenges identified as moderators of the uptake of HIV care and other services. Understanding these legal issues and their impacts is a key part of assessing the broader legal environment surrounding HIV, and to understanding what reforms to policy, law and legal practice may be required.