Journal About LegalTech & Technology Investing

Introduction — The Rise of Digital Justice

Digital justice—the use of technology to make legal systems more accessible, efficient, and equitable—has evolved from experimental concept to operational reality across the United States. The transformation encompasses far more than simply moving courtrooms online; it represents a fundamental reimagining of how justice is administered, who can access it, and what barriers prevent participation in legal processes. From remote hearings via video conference to electronic filing systems that operate 24/7, from AI-powered document review to mobile apps that guide unrepresented litigants through procedures, technology is reshaping every aspect of how courts function and how citizens interact with the legal system.

The COVID-19 pandemic served as catalyst and accelerant for digital justice adoption. When courthouses closed in March 2020, the judicial system faced existential crisis: how to continue administering justice while maintaining public health and safety. According to the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), courts that had barely dipped toes into virtual proceedings suddenly conducted millions of hearings via video conference, with some jurisdictions transitioning entire dockets online within weeks. What might have taken decades of gradual evolution compressed into months of urgent necessity.

The U.S. Courts reported that federal courts conducted over 1.1 million video and telephone proceedings in fiscal year 2021—a dramatic i...