Map of amsterdam with all the law clinics
4/4/2022
3
min. leestijd

The Legal Map of Amsterdam highlights legal counters

Amsterdam has an extensive network of social counselors, legal counters, court shops, district teams, legal office hours and other (informal) legal assistants. But citizens have trouble finding the right counter. This project aims to bridge the gap between citizens and legal professionals.
Savannah Koomen

Purpose and realization

The social legal map of Amsterdam has been developed to provide citizens with a clear overview of available (free) legal services. This initiative was created through a collaboration between the Amsterdam Law Hub, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Patroon, with a subsidy from the Legal Aid Council. The map makes it easy for citizens and legal aid providers to search by type of counselor or type of legal problem.

De homepage van de sociaal juridische kaart
The social legal map
De sociaal juridische kaart als webapp.
The map as a web app.
Een vroege versie van de sociaal juridische kaart.
Users can choose to view on a map or in a list.

User Centric Design

When developing the social legal map of Amsterdam, user centric design was used to ensure that the map fits well with the needs and expectations of the end users. User centric design highlights the importance of involving end users in all phases of the design process, from generating ideas to prototype testing and final implementation.

The brand guide.

Content and impact

The map shows the locations of law shops, legal counters, neighborhood teams and (social) lawyers. Since the launch, improvements have been seen in access to legal advice, more efficient services and collaboration between service providers.

Future developments

Challenges include keeping the map up to date, reaching vulnerable groups and addressing language barriers. Future developments may focus on expanding to other cities, integrating with digital platforms and using advanced technology.

The social legal map of Amsterdam has proven to be a successful initiative. Continuous innovation and collaboration are crucial to keep the map up to date and to further improve access to legal advice.