Breaking Down Barriers: How Legaltech is Increasing Access to Justice

5 min read

Here’s what you should know about how legal technology is making the justice system more accessible for vulnerable clients.

The legal system was created with a noble goal: To create a universal, rules-based way of righting wrongs and holding the powerful to account. But despite considerable advances in access-to-justice initiatives across North America, legal representation and the benefits of the force of law still remain elusive to the underprivileged. This lack of access to justice can have concrete impacts on the lives of individuals across the social spectrum. That’s why emerging leaders in the legaltech space are making access to justice a priority. Legaltech companies are improving equity in the justice system in a variety of ways, particularly for low-income individuals and families. Here are just some of the many creative ways that technology is making the legal system work for everyone.

Document Automation Software Helps Refugees

One of the significant burdens on the legal industry that slows down cases and complicates access to justice is the many, many documents that are required in order to do just about anything. Whether it’s a simple name change for a transgender individual or an application for asylum by a refugee, cases involving an access-to-justice element often involve reams of paperwork. Traditionally, this paperwork had to be completed by hand, which is a time-consuming task for both clients and paralegals.

Now, though, emerging technology solutions are automating these forms through the power of web-based questionnaires. In one case in Australia, Gilbert & Tobin partnered with the Refugee Advice and Casework Service to create a document and workflow automation platform designed to automate refugee applications. Those seeking asylum in Australia could use the technology to apply for refugee status, and the RACS team was able to automate these applications, enabling faster processing.

Virtual Court Appearance Tech Makes Hearings Accessible

For clients, the right to a speedy trial is one of the cornerstones of the legal system. But when those clients (or their lawyers) live far away from major city centers or have complicated work schedules, it can be difficult to attend hearings in person.

While telephone hearings have made some progress in this area, the COVID-19 pandemic has since caused virtual presence technology to proliferate. Emerging solutions like Docketly, which provides appearance attorneys for law firms, are now leveraging webconferencing apps to attend court hearings. Rather than getting on a plane or train, lawyers can now join a Zoom call and practice law from anywhere. As a result, clients have more access to representation and can better decide which lawyer is best-suited to help with their particular case.

Digital Case Management Simplifies Court Procedures

Legal technology is revolutionizing the process of case management. Emerging cloud-based case management systems are making it possible for lawyers and paralegals to manage their cases in a more informed and efficient way. These solutions – platforms like MyCase and SmartAdvocate – are enabling legal professionals to organize case information in a smarter way, better manage deadlines, and easily view all of the files and emails related to every pending case. As a result, lawyers can better keep tabs on their open cases and better plan their trial strategy.

Digital case management is even making it possible for lawyers and paralegals to e-file with the courts, which makes for simpler, easier administration. And the less time legal professionals spend on administration, the more time they have to serve clients.

United Nations Cautions on Equitable Access

Legal technology has made such incredible strides in improving access to justice that even the United Nations has taken notice. Deputy Secretary-General of the U.N. Amina J. Mohammed noted in October 2023 that digitization of law can streamline legal processes, making justice more accessible. However, she cautioned, equitable access to justice through technology requires reliable Internet access. The Peruvian delegate on the Sixth Committee said that the Peruvian government is committed to building a legal and ethical framework to protect the rights of citizens while leveraging legal technology to increase access to justice. During her speech, the delegate from Peru underlined that it’s important to ensure digitization doesn’t exclude those without regular access to technology.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Access to Justice

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal industry, from helping to automate document production, to streamlining evidence management, and more. Now, emerging AI tech is making justice more accessible in a variety of ways. One Norton Rose Fulbright project for the Australian not-for-profit legal service Justice Connect is developing an AI technology that can interpret clients’ vernacular language in order to correctly identify and diagnose legal issues. In doing so, this AI will help clients better understand their legal problems and find the best type of lawyer needed to resolve the issue.

Other developing AI technologies involved in access-to-justice initiatives include a family law app that guides consumers through the separation process, a refugee processing app that helps refugees identify communities that need their skills, and a do-it-yourself business incorporation product for entrepreneurs.

These and other legal artificial intelligence projects are making it easier than ever for low- and middle-income individuals to access the legal system without human representation. While artificial intelligence cannot replace human legal professionals, it can – and is – simplifying matters for lawyers and paralegals while simultaneously helping consumers navigate the legal system.

Legal technology is making the justice system more accessible for people with low incomes, people from marginalized backgrounds, and people whom the justice system has historically overlooked. From document automation for refugees, to virtual court hearings making effective representation more accessible, to digital case management enabling lawyers to better plan their cases, to the variety of AI solutions on the market, access to justice has taken the spotlight as a key issue for technology to resolve. As emerging technology solutions continue to make legal services more accessible, expect this trend to continue.

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