Meaningful Justice Design: A Practical Implementation of Accessible Justice

Abstract

Traditional legal systems often include barriers to access to justice, and the integration of technology frequently fails to deliver user-centric solutions. This thesis investigates how user-centric design methodologies can optimize technology integration to enhance access to justice while mitigating barriers. It proposes “Meaningful Justice Design” (MJD), a novel methodology aiming to make justice systems responsive to users’ needs for understanding, navigation, and effective problem resolution. This research encompasses a literature review, a meta-analysis of empirical data, and an examination of Canadian and international case studies, revealing that contemporary justice processes often lack genuine user-centricity. MJD is organized around five core tenets: Justice is the Goal, Injustice is the Metric, User-Centricity, One-Size-Fits-Some Resolution Pathways, and Transformative Integration of Technology. MJD provides a framework for systemic justice reform with significant implications, advocating for system designs that are not only procedurally sound but also foster accessible, equitable, and restorative experiences for all users.