Legal Graphics - project pitch by https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt A self-help legal toolkit to address how might legal practitioners provide legal information that is more discrete and accessible to women who are affected by family violence. en-us 2023-09-08 05:08:31 UTC 2023-09-22 05:19:49 UTC hello@padlet.com Access to justice is hindered by competing needs and concerns for personal privacy and shame. linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2690068312 Problem Statement
How might legal practitioners provide legal information that is more discrete and accessible to women who are affected by family violence?

The Issue
Research show that women's ability to seek help and access services is an issue that currently exist in the Australian law landscape. 

There is a common view in rural communities that 'family problems' such as domestic and family violence are not talked about, which serves to silence women's experience of domestic and family violence and deter them from disclosing violence and abuse.

Fear of stigma, shame, community gossip, and a lack of perpetrator accountability deter women from seeking help.

A lack of privacy due to the high likelihood that police, health professionals and domestic and family violence workers know both the victim and perpetrator can inhibit women's willingness to use local services.

The Goal
The goal is to create a way for women to access legal information and contact points in a way that is anonymous and doesn't raise red flags with anyone else. 
]]> 2023-09-08 05:23:15 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2690068312 Legal Graphics linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715696228 Legal Graphics is an online toolkit that aims to empower women to take responsibility for resolving their own legal matters.

Legal Graphics is a free service that can be accessed via the website (tech platform) for family lawyers and the public (focused more on women) for a one-stop spot for all practical resources and links for court websites. The toolkit acts more as a legal gateway or directory.

What is inside the toolkit?
1. Step-by-step tutorial videos to guide through the family law process. 

2. Concise materials relating to family law and relevant documents to file to the Court. 

3. Simple and straightforward language and updated materials from time-to-time. 

4. Simple design (helpful headings or a drop-box that allows women to ask targeted questions relating to family law). ]]> 2023-09-22 03:51:56 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715696228 Expected outcomes linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715712916 Providing a simpler process
• Purchasing option - whoever is billing could be anonymous and the billing name could be the registered company name.

• The toolkit name will be simple so that it can be easier to find on the website. 

Providing more information to the client (being more informative)
• Download word documents from a website browser. 

Providing discreet services for the client to feel safe
• The toolkit is discreet because it will be in the browser environment. 

• Data needs to be protected. Therefore, we will need to reach out to developers to maintain data privacy. 

• Ownership rights will stay with the consumer and we must address hacking and data breaches. 
]]> 2023-09-22 04:10:02 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715712916 Funding Model linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715717613 A viable model that can be used is linking the toolkit service with law firms (family) and providing the first service for free. Law firms can assist with the initial funding to get the project off the ground. Therefore, law firms can obtain more clients who realise that they do require assistance from a legal professional. This funding model provides a way for clients to have an easy link to an affiliated firm and encourages profitability growth for law firms. 

If the customer wishes to pursue the matter further without assistance, then they can do so with quality materials that is accessible on Legal Graphics. Clients may choose whether or not they would like to pursue their own matter with a private affiliated firm. 

This funding model is similar to client interviewing, where the first consultation is free and subsequent interviews is priced at $300 per hour plus GST. ]]> 2023-09-22 04:14:51 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715717613 Empathy mapping linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715724858 An empathy map is a simple, easy-to-digest visual that captures knowledge about a user’s behaviours and attitudes. The focus is on the 'user', rather than the product. 

Through empathy mapping, I have found that poor information design and a lack of attention to user experience may negatively impact how the a person uses online legal resources. Therefore, I have improvised the toolkit as follows: 

• No dense text;
• Simple and straightforward language and grammar;
• Information and language reflect our current society; 
• The toolkit must be accessible and inclusive (e.g. use of gender neutral pronouns); 
• Videos without captions and/or distracting background music; 
• Low contrasting text on coloured backgrounds; 

Many users are also culturally diverse and cannot interpret English. Therefore, I have amended the toolkit to add more visual diagrams, charts, maps and videos to assist users who come from a non-English background. 
]]> 2023-09-22 04:22:39 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715724858 linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715750258 Is it possible to acquire the skills, resources, and technology to deliver?
• Yes, the technology is readily available as are the skills of legal practitioners who will script and voice the content.

• The set up of the interface is simple, mirroring brightspace and university portals.

• There will need to be ongoing IT assistance. This could be globally outsourced for price reduction. Website updates, IT support and cloud storage must also be considered. 

How realistically can this solution be implemented?
• Moderately easy, as it mirrors existing products/services (i.e online masterclasses).

• However, there are potential problems that must be addressed to ensure that the product is on board.

These problems are listed below:
Data and privacy issues
1. Confidentiality;
2. Cyber security;
3. Data integrity;
4. Disclosure of metadata; and
5. Insurance.

Some issues to consider when using technology are: 
  • New forms of malpractice; 
  • Due diligence; 
  • Verification of identity (creating multi factor authentication to combat this issue); 
  • AML/CTF obligations; 
  • Spam and unsolicited contact; 
  • Supervision over actors on matters; and 
  • Accountability of the lawyer when something goes wrong with the technology. 
]]> 2023-09-22 04:46:28 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715750258 Does the product alleviate the user's problems? linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715762551 Users include both clients and legal practitioners.

For clients:
Yes, alleviates problems including:
• Shame- admitting there is a legal problem and validating the client’s position; and
• Helplessness- providing hope and a sense of direction. 

For legal practitioners:
• Saves time collecting background information by having the client input their personal history and upload documents, (i.e, separation certificates, documents relating to property/assets); 

• Addresses issues stemming from rising costs of living and the missing middle avoiding lawyers and turning to self representation; 

• Ensures that clients are funnelled to the firms/clc’s affiliated with our product/service; and 

• Potentially, legal practitioners making the videos/content could obtain CPD points. This alleviates pressure from practitioners of the above mentioned firms/clc’s having to prioritise seminars over files. 
]]> 2023-09-22 04:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715762551 Will the intended audience use the product? linmelbourne06 https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715769722 Yes. Legal Graphics is servicing the missing middle and those above it who may have access to lawyers, but who would like to have their standing before committing to a retainer and costs.

Existing lawyers have been forced to adapt to technology during covid, as well as graduate lawyers who have relied heavily on technology during university. This is a familiar format that represents changes to the legal landscape in Australia.
]]> 2023-09-22 05:02:57 UTC https://padlet.com/linmelbourne06/9ljtu6uorz6qfdt/wish/2715769722