Tanzanian students bridge justice gap with AI-powered legal aid

Dar es Salaam. In a country where thousands face legal uncertainties daily—many without the means to seek help—law students at the University of Dar es Salaam School of Law (UDSOL) are providing hope through a digital platform that links citizens to free legal guidance.

The innovation, CLC Leg-Tech Bridge, launched officially in 2022 and refined since then, was showcased during UDSOL’s Career Day 2025, themed “Lawyers in Mitigation of Societal Crises, Challenges and Opportunities,” held on June 5.

It offers an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot and human support system to address common legal issues. Over 4,000 Tanzanians have already benefited.

Speaker of Parliament Dr Tulia Ackson, the event’s guest of honor, lauded the initiative. “This system allows someone from anywhere in Tanzania to submit their issue and receive direction on what steps to take and where to go,” she said.

“It’s an accessible tool, especially in a country where many aren’t even aware that their problem has a legal solution.”

Legal aid remains elusive for many in Tanzania due to poverty, lack of awareness, and geographical isolation.

According to the Legal Services Facility (LSF), nearly 60 percent of Tanzanians have legal needs that go unmet—particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Digital solutions like UDSOL’s platform are beginning to bridge this gap. “Technology is changing access to justice,” said Dr Ackson.

For instance, Kenya’s Ushahidi platform and India’s eCourts services stand as models.

Both have improved legal awareness and transparency through mobile and web tools.

Tanzania’s Judiciary is also modernizing: in 2023, the Judicial Case Management System (JCMS) was expanded to allow digital case filings and tracking.

“This is just the beginning,” said UDSM’ Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic, Prof Bonaventure Rutinwa.

“Our policy encourages academia-industry linkages. When law students tackle real-world problems before graduation, society wins.”

The Leg-Tech Bridge model, co-founded by third-year law student Possi Hamisi, was inspired by real frustrations: “Many Tanzanians don’t read much, so we began with legal awareness videos. But videos alone weren’t enough. People needed direct answers,” he explained.

Possi and his team introduced the WhatsApp chatbot, which filters questions and directs complex ones to a volunteer legal team. The service is entirely free and continues to grow.

This model aligns with what Dr Ackson emphasised: legal education should not remain confined to lectures and textbooks.

“Let law schools connect with law firms and society. Let students understand societal crises so they can become part of the solution,” she said.

Legal experts suggest that platforms like this can evolve into national tools.

“If adopted widely, they could reduce backlog in courts by resolving minor legal issues early,” noted Advocate Pendo Mwakilasa, who leads a legal firm in Manza.

As legal education modernizes in Tanzania, initiatives such as UDSOL’s platform illustrate that law students can become the front line in delivering justice—not someday, but today.

Legal tech consultant Dr Elibariki Mussa believes such student-led initiatives fill a critical void in the justice chain.

“Tanzania has long grappled with the shortage of legal aid officers in rural districts. If universities empower their students with tools and mentorship to provide basic legal help—even digitally—it could ease pressure on the system,” he said.

He added that legal tech in the hands of youth is more than innovation; it is a necessary evolution to meet citizens where they are.