Berkman Center Report on Access to Justice in courts

I just discovered a rich design document & user research study conducted by a team out of Harvard’s Berkman Center in 2010.
It looks at how more access & usability can be built into current civil court processes. And one of its co-authors is Phil Malone, who has just joined Stanford Law School’s team, as director of the new Innovation Clinic.

Open Law Lab - Berkman access to justice

The report is extremely valuable in the concrete suggestions & insights that it establishes. Any team who is working on a redesign of a court service should read it now.

Or, if you are designing interfaces for lay consumers to understand a legal process or to go through a legal system, you should also take a look at its recommendations.

I’ve pulled out some here, for a quick overview of some of the points to pay attention to.

What does a usable interface look like?

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice 7

 

 What are the most crucial needs of lay litigants?

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice 2

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice

 

How can a legal service orient & prepare lay people?

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice 3

 

How can electronic systems help lay people to get legal tasks done?

 

 

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice 4

Open Law Lab - Berkman Center - Access to Justice 5

 

 

1 Comment