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🧾 Legal Plain Language Translator — Turn Legalese Into Human Language

License: MIT TypeScript Contributions Welcome PRs Welcome

The Problem

Court orders, motions, and legal notices are written in impenetrable legalese. People can't understand what's happening in their own cases. A single misunderstood deadline or requirement can cost someone their home, custody of their children, or their freedom.

The Solution

Legal Plain Language Translator is an AI-powered engine that simplifies any legal document to adjustable reading levels — from 5th grade through professional. It preserves legal meaning while making content accessible, generates term glossaries, and verifies that simplification doesn't alter the document's legal intent.

How It Works

flowchart LR
    A[Legal Document\nInput] --> B[Document Parser]
    B -- "Section Splitter\nTerm Identifier" --> C[Simplification Engine]
    C -- "Sentence Restructurer\nTerm Replacer\nReading Level Adjuster" --> D[Quality Checker]
    D -- "Meaning Preservation\nReading Level Verification" --> E[Plain Language Output]
    D --> F[Glossary Sidebar]
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Who This Helps

  • Self-represented litigants — Understand court orders and filings in their own cases
  • Court self-help centers — Provide simplified versions of standard documents
  • Legal aid intake staff — Explain complex documents to clients efficiently
  • Immigrant communities — Bridge language and legal complexity gaps simultaneously
  • Low-literacy populations — Access legal information at appropriate reading levels

Features

  • Adjustable reading levels — Slider from 5th grade through professional with live preview
  • Court order simplification — Break down rulings into plain-language action items
  • Motion and pleading translation — Understand what each side is arguing
  • Legal notice clarification — Deadlines, requirements, and consequences in plain terms
  • Term glossary generation — Auto-generated definitions for every legal term
  • Meaning preservation scoring — AI verification that legal intent is maintained
  • Batch document processing — Simplify entire case files at once

Quick Start

npm install @justice-os/plain-language
import { SimplifierEngine, ReadingLevelAnalyzer, GlossaryGenerator } from '@justice-os/plain-language';

// Initialize the simplifier
const simplifier = new SimplifierEngine({
  model: 'gpt-4',
  targetGrade: 5,
});

// Simplify a court order
const result = await simplifier.simplify({
  text: 'The Court hereby ORDERS that the Respondent shall...',
  documentType: 'court-order',
  targetGrade: 5,
});

console.log(`Original grade level: ${result.originalGrade}`);
console.log(`Simplified grade level: ${result.simplifiedGrade}`);
console.log(`Meaning preserved: ${result.meaningScore}%`);
console.log(`Simplified text: ${result.simplified}`);

// Generate glossary for terms found
const glossary = new GlossaryGenerator();
const terms = await glossary.generate(result.termsFound);
console.log(`Glossary entries: ${terms.length}`);

Roadmap

Phase Feature Status
1 Document parser with section and term detection In Progress
2 AI-powered simplification engine Planned
3 Reading level analysis and adjustment Planned
4 Meaning preservation verification Planned
5 React components (viewer, slider, glossary) Planned
6 Batch processing and API endpoint Future

Justice OS Ecosystem

This repository is part of the Justice OS open-source ecosystem — 32 interconnected projects building the infrastructure for accessible justice technology.

Core System Layer

Repository Description
justice-os Core modular platform — the foundation
justice-api-gateway Interoperability layer for courts
legal-identity-layer Universal legal identity and auth
case-continuity-engine Never lose case history across systems
offline-justice-sync Works without internet — local-first sync

User Experience Layer

Repository Description
justice-navigator Google Maps for legal problems
mobile-court-access Mobile-first court access kit
cognitive-load-ui Design system for stressed users
multilingual-justice Real-time legal translation
voice-legal-interface Justice without reading or typing
legal-plain-language Turn legalese into human language

AI + Intelligence Layer

Repository Description
vetted-legal-ai RAG engine with citation validation
justice-knowledge-graph Open data layer for laws and procedures
legal-ai-guardrails AI safety SDK for justice use
emotional-intelligence-ai Reduce conflict, improve outcomes
ai-reasoning-engine Show your work for AI decisions

Infrastructure + Trust Layer

Repository Description
evidence-vault Privacy-first secure evidence storage
court-notification-engine Smart deadline and hearing alerts
justice-analytics Bias detection and disparity dashboards
evidence-timeline Evidence timeline builder

Tools + Automation Layer

Repository Description
court-doc-engine TurboTax for legal filings
justice-workflow-engine Zapier for legal processes
pro-se-toolkit Self-represented litigant tools
justice-score-engine Access-to-justice measurement
justice-app-generator No-code builder for justice tools

Quality + Testing Layer

Repository Description
justice-persona-simulator Test products against real human realities
justice-experiment-lab A/B testing for justice outcomes

Adoption Layer

Repository Description
digital-literacy-sim Digital literacy simulator
legal-resource-discovery Find the right help instantly
court-simulation-sandbox Practice before the real thing
justice-components Reusable component library
justice-dev-starter-kit Ultimate boilerplate for justice tech builders

Built with purpose. Open by design. Justice for all.


⚠️ Disclaimer

This project is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, legal representation, or an attorney-client relationship. No warranty is made regarding accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular legal matter. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before making legal decisions. Use of this software does not create any professional-client relationship.


Built by Doug Devitre

I build AI-powered platforms that solve real problems. I also speak about it.

CoTrackPro · admin@cotrackpro.com

Hire me: AI platform development · Strategic consulting · Keynote speaking

AWS AI/Cloud/Dev Certified · UX Certified (NNg) · Certified Speaking Professional (NSA) Author of Screen to Screen Selling (McGraw Hill) · 100,000+ professionals trained

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