JusticeHub Launches to Improve Legal Access in North Carolina
Legal Aid of North Carolina has officially launched JusticeHub, a revolutionary online intake and client portal aimed at simplifying how residents across the state apply for civil legal assistance. The platform is designed to streamline the application process and provide fast, reliable access to legal information, especially for underserved communities.
JusticeHub serves as a centralized entry point for individuals seeking help from Legal Aid of North Carolina, replacing the former intake system that was often criticized for long wait times and confusion. The new platform is mobile-friendly, accessible 24/7, and built with inclusivity in mind to accommodate users with limited literacy, disabilities, language barriers, or restricted access to technology.
A More Human-Centered Approach to Legal Help
“Getting legal help should not be another source of stress when someone is already facing a crisis,” said Scheree Gilchrist, Chief Innovation Officer at Legal Aid of North Carolina. “JusticeHub reflects what our communities and partners told us they needed: a clearer, faster, and more human way to connect with legal help.”
The portal was developed over the past year through Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Innovation Lab in collaboration with A2J Tech PBC, a public benefit corporation specializing in legal technology. Using a combination of legal expertise, human-centered design, and modern technology, the teams reimagined how individuals can seek and obtain legal aid.
Key Features Designed for Accessibility and Efficiency
JusticeHub provides a number of user-friendly features, including:
- Online application for legal services without long hold times
- Eligibility screening to quickly determine qualification for assistance
- Document uploads directly through the portal
- Real-time status updates on submitted applications
- Access to legal information, self-help guides, and referrals
Users can also get assistance from LIA, Legal Aid of North Carolina’s AI-driven legal information assistant, which helps navigate the intake process and answers frequently asked questions.
Behind the Scenes: Technology That Enhances Service Delivery
JusticeHub integrates seamlessly with LegalServer, the organization’s case management system. This connection streamlines workflows for intake staff, reducing administrative burdens and allowing attorneys and advocates more time to focus on serving clients.
The portal is also intended to support community partners such as libraries, non-profit agencies, and service providers who often assist individuals in accessing legal aid. By equipping these partners with a user-friendly tool, Legal Aid of North Carolina extends its reach into the communities that need it most.
Collaboration and Innovation Drive the Project
“JusticeHub represents what’s possible when legal aid organizations and technologists work as true partners,” said Mauricio Duarte, Chief Operating Officer at A2J Tech and lead project manager for JusticeHub. “Our goal was to build a system that feels simple and intuitive for people asking for help while still handling the complexity of legal aid intake.”
Beta testing for JusticeHub was conducted with Legal Aid offices in Central Carolina, Greensboro, Greenville, and Raleigh. These offices provided critical feedback that shaped the final design and functionality of the platform.
A Timely Innovation Amid Financial Challenges
The launch of JusticeHub arrives at a crucial time. Legal Aid of North Carolina fields approximately 300,000 calls annually to its helpline—numbers that far exceed current resource capacities. Compounding the issue is a statewide funding freeze on Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), a significant source of support for civil legal aid.
Despite these hurdles, the organization remains committed to innovation. JusticeHub is part of Legal Aid of North Carolina’s broader Modernizing Access Initiative, a multi-year project supported in part by the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, the Legal Services Corporation, and N.C. IOLTA. The initiative aims to create more efficient, client-focused pathways to legal help.
How to Access JusticeHub
JusticeHub is live and accessible at legalaidnc.org/justicehub. Residents can use a phone, tablet, or computer to begin the application process or find legal resources. For additional information about Legal Aid of North Carolina and its services, visit legalaidnc.org.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.