Accessible Justice: New AI Platform Empowers South African Citizens

A groundbreaking startup called My AI Lawyer has launched in South Africa with the mission of providing affordable legal guidance through an accessible digital platform. Available online and via WhatsApp, this innovative service aims to democratize access to justice for millions who cannot afford traditional legal representation.

Bridging the Access Gap

“Access to justice should not be a privilege but a right,” stated Darren Cohen, head of distribution and marketing at My AI Lawyer. “Unfortunately, high hourly rates and complex legal jargon often prevent South Africans from getting the advice they need.” The platform addresses this by offering 24/7 on-demand guidance in plain language—essentially putting a trained legal advisor in users’ pockets.

Unlike generic AI chatbots, My AI Lawyer is specifically designed for the South African context. It has been extensively trained on local law by South African lawyers and continuously updated to reflect recent developments. This makes it one of the first LLM solutions tailored to a particular country’s legal system.

The platform goes beyond simple question-answering; it engages directly with users’ specific situations, providing accurate, up-to-date advice personalized to their needs. When more complex issues arise, users can connect with qualified human lawyers through the same interface.

Privacy and Security Focused

My AI Lawyer prioritizes user privacy by adhering to South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The platform operates as a secure, closed system where personal data is not used to train large language models—ensuring confidentiality for sensitive legal matters.