Equal Justice Center

Purpose & Vision
The Equal Justice Center is developing a virtual hub to promote a more equitable and accessible civil legal system in Philadelphia. It aims to ensure that civil legal services are available to all Philadelphians, treating access to legal help not as a privilege, but as a right.

Community-Centered Approach
The EJC relies on community engagement and needs assessments to shape its resources and services. It includes potential development of community navigators—trusted individuals who help residents understand and access the legal system and refer them to appropriate resources.

Technology & Systems Innovation
A core component is leveraging technology to reduce barriers—tools like a centralized client portal, digital self-help kiosks, and streamlined referral networks are part of its strategy to support equitable legal access across neighborhoods.

Collaborative Partnerships
The EJC convenes and connects legal aid organizations into a unified network. By building partnerships and shared infrastructure, it enables collective programming, cross-agency coordination, and more comprehensive legal support across the city.

Impact Goals
Designed to improve service delivery and reduce cost duplication, the EJC supports deeper capacity within legal aid through operational efficiencies and shared resources. It is expected to serve tens of thousands of low-income Philadelphians and stands as a national model for equitable legal infrastructure.