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.
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?
What are the most crucial needs of lay litigants?
How can a legal service orient & prepare lay people?
How can electronic systems help lay people to get legal tasks done?
