OMD

For many people, being caught up in a legal case can be overwhelming—especially when access to a lawyer is delayed or the lawyer assigned isn’t familiar with the type of case involved. In public legal aid systems, these challenges can have serious consequences. Delays, mismatches, and lack of clarity often leave vulnerable individuals feeling unsupported at a time when they need help the most.

As part of the ITEA project OMD, ARD Group is developing EqualityInJustice, an AI-powered system designed to change this experience for the better. Its mission is simple but powerful: help people get matched with the right lawyer - faster, and more fairly.

By using advanced technologies the system can understand the unique details of a person’s situation. When someone shares their case narrative, location, and basic background information, EqualityInJustice analyses that input and recommends the most suitable legal aid lawyer, based on factors such as the lawyer’s experience with similar cases, their likelihood to accept new assignments, and how close they are to the client.

Imagine a single mother in a domestic abuse case, or a young person caught in a legal process for the first time. Instead of waiting days for a random assignment, EqualityInJustice could help ensure they are matched quickly with a lawyer who understands their situation and is ready to support them. While still in development, early tests suggest the system can significantly reduce assignment time - possibly from over 30 minutes to less than 15 seconds - and improve the match between clients and lawyers.

By empowering individuals to access the legal help they need, EqualityInJustice has the potential to transform public legal aid into a faster, fairer, and more human-centered experience. And by doing so, it supports not only those in need, but also the public defenders and legal aid offices working hard to serve them.

Through this innovation, ARD Group shows how AI can bring real value to society: restoring trust, dignity, and fairness in the justice system - one person at a time.

More information:
https://itea4.org/project/OMD.html