CLOSING THE JUSTICE GAP: HOW AI TOOLS CAN MAKE LEGAL HELP AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

Abstract

Access to legal services remains one of the most pressing civil justice issues worldwide. In the United States alone, over 80% of low-income individuals face legal problems without adequate representation, a crisis documented by the Legal Services Corporation and echoed across developed and developing countries alike. As traditional legal systems struggle to bridge this divide, artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising solutions. Beyond chatbots and document automation, AI technologies now support everything from virtual legal triage to predictive analytics for pro bono clinics. This article explores how AI-powered tools are reducing cost barriers, increasing efficiency, and scaling access to underserved communities. Drawing from legal scholarship, implementation studies, and NGO fieldwork, it investigates real-world use cases of AI in areas such as eviction defense, immigration, family law, and criminal justice reform. It also addresses concerns about bias, oversight, and digital inequality, offering policy recommendations for ethical deployment. The article concludes that while AI alone cannot eliminate systemic disparities, its strategic use can greatly narrow the justice gap and redefine the delivery of equitable legal aid.