Themesis Guardian - An Online Web Application bridging the justice gap

Overview:
Themesis Guardian, aligned with the goal of promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies under SDG 16.3 - Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.
Our solution addresses the justice gap through an online website. A key feature is our chatbot, powered by Google's Gemini API, offering multilingual legal assistance, basic information, and directing users to relevant resources. Our primary targets are : SDG 16.3.1, focusing on victim reports of crime. We aim to increase general awareness and responsibility through our knowledge base, including legal guides, past cases with feature based filter functionality, and resources. Users can connect directly with lawyers through our chat feature, request legal assistance, and file cases online through e-filing. Addressing SDG 16.3.2 concerning unsentenced detainees, we provide a dedicated section offering knowledge of rights and legal support tailored to their needs. For SDG 16.3.3, promoting dispute resolution mechanisms, our platform includes a "Quick Fix Court" section. Here, lawyers can create temporary dispute resolution rooms to facilitate discussions and resolve minor disputes, discouraging direct communication between parties. Additionally, our platform features "Peer Connect," a community server enabling users to discuss problems with one another online.

Background:
The current legal system often feels fortresslike, overwhelming and impenetrable. Lack of legal knowledge, complex procedures and cost overruns present insurmountable barriers for millions of people. This uneven distribution of legal resources creates injustice, privileges the vulnerable, and undermines the foundations of a just society.

This project aims to establish a comprehensive platform that empowers individuals and communities to navigate legal matters efficiently and affordably. It seeks to achieve this by:

1. Providing comprehensive resources: Offering a central location for users to access a vast array of legal information, explanations, and access to past legal cases .
2. Facilitating cost-effective solutions: Integrating tools and partnerships that enable users to handle minor legal issues effectively at minimal cost. This can include self-help guides and connections to affordable legal services.
3. Connecting individuals to pro bono legal guidance: Matching individuals facing legal challenges with free legal assistance offered by pro bono lawyers through dedicated boards or partner organizations.
4. Streamlining electronic case filing: Enabling users to file legal documents electronically through secure and user-friendly integrations, simplifying the legal process.
5. Fostering a collaborative environment: Building a vibrant forum where individuals can seek and offer peer-to-peer advice, fostering a sense of community and empowering users to collaborate in resolving disputes.
6. Introducing online dispute resolution: Establishing an online courtroom facilitated by lawyers, allowing both parties in minor disputes to resolve conflicts constructively and efficiently.

Features Breakdown:

1. Registration and Categorization: The app enables users to register as either seeking legal assistance or lawyers with specific expertise. Benefit - Tailored connections.
2. Open Access with No Fees: The platform provides legal assistance without financial barriers Benefit - inclusivity for those with limited resources.
3. Direct Communication: Integrated chat and video call features facilitate secure communication between users and lawyers. Benefit - Transparency.
4. Simplified Approach: The app streamlines the process of approaching a lawyer, including clear steps and documentation guidance for physical procedures.
5. Knowledge Base: Curated articles, video lectures, and details of past cases empower users with legal literacy, aiding informed decisions.
6. Discussion Forum: A Discord like forum that allows users to engage in discussions about minor disputes, fostering community-driven conflict resolution.
7. Dispute Resolution Chambers: Users can form temporary chambers, involving lawyers, to discuss and resolve minor disputes, discouraging direct communication.
8. Pro Bono Partnerships: Collaborations with pro bono organizations connect individuals with free legal representatives, enabling democratizing access. Provide incentives for pro bono work (In affiliation with non profit organizations)
9. Multilingual Accessibility: To break down language barriers, ensuring diverse communities can access legal support.
10. Chat Bot: Powered by Google’s Vertex AI, will provide immediate legal assistance, basic information and direct users to relevant resources.
11. E-filing : The app directs users to the available sites of regional authority to file the case online.
12. Unsentenced Detainees: The app provides a separate section for unsentenced detainees which contains all the rights and legal support they can avail and information about lawyers who can take their case.

SETUP:

1. Open terminal.
2. Clone the github repositroy using the command : git clone https://github.com/nityatiwari002/themesis.git
3. Navigate to the project directory : cd themesis

Starting the server:
4. Navigate to the server folder : cd server
5. Intall the dependencies : npm install
6. Start the server : npm start

Starting the ChatBot Server:
7. Navigate back to the root repository using the command "cd.." or open another terminal in the directory themesis and navigate to the chatbot folder using command "cd chatbot"
8. Install the dependencies: npm install
9. Starting the chatbot : npm start

Starting the client
10. Navigate back to the root repository using the command "cd.." or open another terminal in the directory themesis and navigate to the client folder using command "cd client"
11. Install the dependencies : npm install
12. Install three.js : npm install three
13. start the client : npm start

The app is running on localhost:3000,
Open the browser and simply just search for "localhost:3000" to see the app "Themesis Guardian".