Legal Assist : Smart Legal Case Management System

Legal Assist : Smart Legal Case Management System

Dr. Sudhakar Avareddy

Ballari Institute of Technology & Management/ CSE Department, Ballari, India

Appu, Karthik M K, Mallikarjun, Sai Shirisha

Ballari Institute of Technology & Management/ CSE Department, Ballari, India

ABSTRACT – Legal Assist is a web-based legal assistance and case management platform designed to improve access to legal services for citizens, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Many individuals face challenges such as lack of legal awareness, difficulty finding verified lawyers, and limited transparency in case progress. This project addresses these issues by providing a unified digital platform that connects clients, lawyers, and administrators. The system includes features such as verified lawyer discovery, consultation booking, secure role-based authentication, case tracking, document upload and PDF generation, and an AI-powered legal assistant for basic legal guidance. The platform ensures trust through an Admin-controlled lawyer verification process and enforces data security using JWT- based authentication and encrypted credentials. Technically, the frontend is developed using Next.js to deliver a responsive and user-friendly interface, while the backend is implemented using Spring Boot with RESTful APIs and MySQL for persistent data storage. The AI chatbot is integrated using API key to provide general legal awareness and guidance. The platform focuses on accessibility, transparency, and security, offering a practical digital solution for modernizing legal service delivery.

Keywords: LegalTech, Case Management, AI Chatbot, Lawyer Verification, Spring Boot, Next.js.

1. INTRODUCTION

   Many people still find it hard to get legal help because they lack legal knowledge, cannot easily verify lawyers, and depend on slow, manual processes. Clients often feel confused about legal procedures and find it difficult to follow the progress of their cases, while lawyers handle appointments, documents, and case updates using scattered or paper-based methods. Legal Assist aims to make this process easier by offering a single web-based platform that brings all legal interactions into one place. It allows clients to find verified lawyers, book consultations, follow case updates, access legal awareness content, and store documents securely. Lawyers can manage their cases and appointments through organized dashboards, and administrators maintain trust on the platform by verifying users and monitoring activities. Overall, the system is built to improve accessibility, build trust, and increase efficiency, making legal services clearer, safer, and easier for everyone to use.

   1. OBJECTIVES

      1. To create a safe digital platform for managing legal cases and consultations.

      2. To make it easier for users to connect with trusted legal professionals.

      3. To simplify case updates and document handling through digitization.

      4. To help users understand basic legal information through AI guidance.

      5. To ensure different access levels for clients, lawyers, and administrators.

   2. EXISTING SYSTEM

      Traditional legal systems depend mainly on paperwork, face-to-face meetings, and informal communication methods. Clients often do not have clear visibility into the progress of their cases and must rely on frequent visits or phone calls for updates. Lawyer verification is usually informal, which can create trust-related concerns. Scheduling appointments and handling documents are often slow, unorganized, and prone to mistakes. In addition, limited legal awareness among the public increases confusion, dependency, and the spread of incorrect information.

   3. PROPOSED SYSTEM

      The proposed system is a role-based web application designed for three types of users. Clients can search for verified lawyers, book consultations, track the progress of their cases, access legal awareness information, and securely manage their documents. Lawyers can manage their profiles, accept or decline consultation requests, update case statuses, and upload case-related documents. Administrators are responsible for verifying lawyer credentials, monitoring user activity, and maintaining trust and security across the platform. In addition, the system includes an AI-powered legal assistant that offers basic legal guidance while clearly

      encouraging users to consult qualified professionals for complex legal issues.

   4. SYSTEM FEATURES

      1. Secure user authentication using JWT and encrypted passwords with BCrypt.

      2. Role-based access control with separate permissions for Clients, Lawyers, and Admins.

      3. A verified lawyer listing approved and managed by administrators.

      4. Easy booking of legal consultations with real-time status updates.

      5. Case tracking through clear timeline-based progress updates.

      6. Secure document uploading with support for PDF generation.

      7. An AI-powered legal awareness chatbot integrated using API key.

2. LITERATURE SURVEY

   Recent researches in India have contributed to the advancement of legal technology, AI-assisted systems, and modern case-management solutions. Fayaj Basha et al. [1] introduced a modular web-based judicial case scheduling system that shows how technology can streamline court- related processes and improve administrative efficiency. Phani Kumar et al. [2] proposed an innovative legal case management system that addresses common bottlenecks in traditional workflows and highlights improved digital infrastructures in legal institutions. Santosh Kumar [3] examined the broader impact of artificial intelligence on the evolving legal landscape, emphasizing how AI can simplify legal research and support decision-making. Gogoi [4] discussed the challenges surrounding digital rights within Indias IT law framework, underscoring the importance of user awareness and regulatory clarity. Yakuta Tayyebi et al.

   [5] presented a design model for an e-marketplace aimed at onboarding legal professionals and expanding public access to legal services. Vaswani et al. [6] developed LawSaarthi, a virtual law advisor that demonstrates the potential of AI- driven conversational tools to guide users through basic legal queries. Angajala and Pullagura [7] explored the rise of generative AI in the legal sector, outlining applications and research opportunities that could shape future legal workflows. Pande [8] investigated the role of generative AI within the Indian judiciary, highlighting its possible contributions to efficiency and transparency. Jani and Rathor
   [9] conducted a comparative study on Indias legal frameworks for AI-powered autonomous systems, pointing to emerging ethical and policy considerations. Finally, Tripathy
   [10] examined the capabilities and limitations of AI in the legal profession, giving an understanding of how it can be applied in real situations and future prospects. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for developing

   smart, AI-enabled legal assistance platforms that improve accessibility, enhance user experience, and support digital transformatin in Indias legal ecosystem.

3. METHODOLOGY

   The system is developed using an iterative development approach inspired by Agile methodology, which allows continuous improvement through regular testing and feedback. This approach helps in identifying issues early and adapting features based on user requirements. The frontend is built using Next.js with React and styled using Tailwind CSS to ensure a clean, responsive, and user-friendly interface across different devices. Special attention is given to usability so that both clients and legal professionals can easily navigate the platform.

   The backend of the system is implemented using Spring Boot with Java 17 and exposes RESTful APIs to manage core functionalities such as user authentication, consultation scheduling, case tracking, and document handling. Spring Security is used to implement stateless authentication with JWT and enforce role-based access control for different user types. The application uses MySQL as the relational database, with Hibernate/JPA handling data persistence and relationships. Additionally, an AI-based legal chatbot is integrated using the API key, which provides controlled legal guidance through carefully designed prompts while clearly guiding users to seek professional legal advice for complex issues.

   The complete working model / Flowchart is shown in figure 1 and its use-case diagram is presented in figure 2.

   Fig 1. Flowchart

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

   The application is designed to be practical and easy to use for everyday users, with a clear focus on simplicity and trust. Legal awareness content is presented in an article-style format with clear headings, short sections, and bullet points, making complex information easier to understand and encouraging users to engage with the content. The interface responds immediately after login by updating navigation elements, which reassures users that their session is active and secure. The AI assistant provides brief, easy-to-read responses that offer general guidance rather than formal legal advice, supported by controlled prompt design to keep answers relevant and beginner-friendly. Removing the payment feature improves usability by avoiding distractions and incomplete workflows, allowing users to focus on learning, seeking guidance, and connecting with legal professionals. Saved chat sessions help maintain continuity by letting users revisit earlier conversations when needed. While the system performs well, certain limitations remain, such as the chatbots inability to always provide region- specific details, meaning complex legal issues should still be handled by qualified lawyers. Future improvements can include stronger safety controls, citation-based responses, and the use of trusted legal sources to further enhance reliability and user confidence.

   1. OUTPUTS

      Fig 3. Output of User Web Page

      Fig 4. Output of Login Platform

      Fig 2. Use case Diagram

      Fig 5. Output of Find a Lawyer Page

      Fig 6. Output of Case Tracker Page

      Fig 7. Output of Legal Awareness Page

      Fig 8. Output of Lawyer Dashboard

      Fig 9. Output of Case Management

      Fig 10. Output of Admin Dashboard

5. CONCLUSION

   Legal Assist showcases how modern web technologies and artificial intelligence can be used to improve the delivery of legal services. By bringing together verified lawyer discovery, secure case management, and AI-based legal awareness, the platform makes legal support more accessible, transparent, and efficient. Although it does not replace the role of legal professionals, it acts as a reliable digital support system for users seeking guidance and organization. In the future, the platform can be further enhanced by adding multilingual support, stronger integration with e-Courts, and advanced analytics to improve insights and decision-making.

6. REFERENCES

1. D. Fayaj Basha, S. Chiranjeevi, K. Anuraj Kumar Reddy, P. Pavan Gnanesh, V.D. Shanmukhananda, Dr. Praveena K N, Smartcourt: a modular web system for judicial case scheduling and management, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research(JETIR), Published in: Volume 12 | Issue 5 | Year May 2025 | page number f416 f425 e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: Presidency University Bengaluru, India.

2. Ch.Phani Kumar, Gandham Dev Amarnadh, K. Kondisetti Vanaja, Mohammed Habeeb, Lingam Sowmya, Innovative Legal Case Management System, Industrial Engineering Journal, Published in: Volume 54 | Issue 4 | Year April 2025 | page number 102 112 e- ISSN: 0970-2555, Address: Usha Rama College Of Engineering And Technology Andhra Pradesh, India.

3. Santosh Kumar, The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the New World Legal System, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 8 | Year August2024, page number c442c450, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

4. Jupi Gogoi, Digital Rights under the Information Technology Law in India: Issues and Concerns, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 10 | Year

   October2024, page number d422d426, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: University of Delhi.

5. Dr. Yakuta Tayyebi, Anuj Banke, Anshita Balodiya, Gourav Choudhary, Ananya Dey Legal Sahyog Hub: An Incentives Based Design For Onboarding Legal Service Providers On E-Market Place For Extending Legal Services To Citizens In India, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 6 | Year June2024, page number i312i317, e- ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: JETIR Research Publications, Gujarat, India.

6. Karan Vaswani, Digvijay Singh Shekhawat, Bhawit Balodi, Krishnaveer Rajawat, Ajay Kumar, LawSaarthi: Virtual Law Advisor, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 5 | Year May2024, page number e557e561, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: Inderprastha Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

7. Dr. Srinivasa Rao Angajala, Dr. Sudheer Pullagura, The Rise of Generative AI in Law: Applications and Research Frontiers, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 3 | Year Marcp024, page number c319c322, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: P.S.R. Law College, Turangi, Kakinada, AP., INDIA.

8. Advocate Ravindra Ramesh Pande, Generative AI Applications in Indian Judiciary, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 4 | Year April 2024, page number o220o223, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: Chief Information Officer at India Training Services, Mumbai, India.

9. Chaitali Jani, Prof. S.P. Rathor, A Comparative Study of Legal Framework for Artificial Intelligence-Powered Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 2 | Year February 2024, page number g798g809, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: University School of Law Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

10. Ankita Tripathy, AI in the Legal Profession: Capabilities, Limitations, And Future Prospects, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Published in: Volume 11 | Issue 9 | Year September2024, page number c902c908, e-ISSN: 2349-5162, Address: Advocate, Balangir, Odisha, India.