AI's Role in Bridging the Access to Justice Gap

AI's Role in Bridging the Access to Justice Gap

Jan 19, 2025
3 minutes

Access to justice has long been a pressing issue. The legal system, built on centuries of court decisions, can be overwhelming for the average person. Whether you're a self-represented litigant or a small law firm struggling to compete, the barriers to understanding and using the law can feel insurmountable.

However, artificial intelligence is beginning to break down these barriers, not because it should replace lawyers and paralegals. But because it can empower them—and the people they serve—to deal with legal issues better.

While much of the recent conversations around machine learning in law have focused on tools like Caseway, this shift is part of a broader revolution. Companies like Clio and AffiniPay contribute to a future where legal services are more accessible, affordable, and efficient. Law firms will soon be forced to change their ways.

Legal Research: From Paywalls to Public Access

Platforms like LexisNexis and Westlaw have been the gatekeepers of legal knowledge for many decades. While their curated judge decision databases and sophisticated search engine-style products are invaluable, they come at a cost that only large firms and institutions can afford. This leaves smaller firms, paralegals, and self-represented litigants at a significant disadvantage.

Legal technology platforms are challenging this model by making legal information more accessible. Caseway, for example, bypasses paywalls by sourcing publicly available court decisions and using digital intelligence to make them easily searchable and understandable. Making legal data readily available is critical in a world where the cost of legal services often determines access to justice. Instead of being priced out of the system, individuals and smaller firms can now access the same insights as more prominent players.

But Caseway isn’t alone. Clio, a cloud-based practice management software, revolutionizes how lawyers manage their cases and communicate with clients. By integrating tools that streamline billing, document management, and client interaction, Clio reduces firms' overhead, enabling them to pass those savings on to clients. These innovations address the systemic inefficiencies that drive up costs and limit access to legal representation.

The Efficiency Revolution

Time is a lawyer’s most valuable asset, yet much is spent on administrative tasks and manual research. AI offers a way to reclaim that time. Tools like Caseway can sift through millions of court decisions, summarizing relevant cases in seconds. For family lawyers in Vancouver or corporate attorneys in Toronto, this means more time to focus on strategy and client advocacy.

Similarly, platforms like AffiniPay (AKA MyCase) are tackling inefficiencies in payment systems. By offering integrated payment solutions tailored to legal practices, AffiniPay ensures firms get paid faster while providing clients with more flexible options. These innovations may seem small, but they significantly impact the overall cost and accessibility of legal services.

The implications go beyond convenience. Machine learning enables lawyers to offer flat fees instead of the traditional billable hour by reducing the time and resources required for basic legal tasks. This shift benefits clients and also aligns with broader access-to-justice goals. It’s a model prioritizes outcomes over process—a fundamental change in how legal services are delivered.

Empowering Self-Represented Litigants

One of the most significant barriers to justice is the high cost of legal representation; dealing with legal battles can be daunting for those who cannot afford a lawyer. Artificial intelligence tools offer a lifeline. Caseway, for instance, simplifies legal research by providing clear, concise summaries of relevant case law. This empowers self-represented litigants to understand their rights and obligations better, levelling the playing field in a system that often favours those with legal expertise.

Other companies are also stepping up to serve this underserved demographic. Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom provide affordable access to legal documents and essential advice. While these platforms don’t replace a lawyer's expertise, they offer an accessible starting point for individuals who might otherwise be left out of getting legal advice from qualified lawyers.

A Future of Collaboration

The rise of AI in law doesn’t signal the end of traditional legal roles; rather, it heralds a new era of collaboration between legal technology and human expertise. Larger law firms that have been slow to adopt these software products are beginning to recognize their value.

Partnerships like Caseway’s collaboration with Clio or potential integrations with platforms like Microsoft Word demonstrate how legal tech AI can seamlessly fit into existing workflows without compromising security or reliability.

At the same time, academic institutions like UBC are exploring ways to leverage machine learning to increase access to justice. By funding research and development in this area, universities can help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring these tools serve the public good.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, machine learning is not a cure-all. Concerns about data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the digital divide must be addressed to ensure that these tools benefit everyone equally. For instance, while platforms like Caseway and Clio are making strides in accessibility, they still rely on robust internet access and digital literacy—resources that aren’t evenly distributed.

As seen in high-profile arguments between CanLII, Jursage, and Caseway regarding who owns case law, the legal industry still struggles to balance innovation with intellectual property rights. These challenges underscore the need for a collaborative approach that includes regulators, technologists, and legal professionals.