Equivant is a global leader in court technology services, providing innovative solutions to streamline judicial operations. One of their premier products, eServices Court, integrates case management, document processing, and other critical judicial functions to enhance efficiency. To stay ahead of technological trends and user expectations, equivant sought to improve the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) of their platform.
They approached Portable to lead the UI/UX redesign of eServices Court, aiming to deliver a more intuitive, efficient, and visually cohesive experience for users. Our task: conduct an in-depth assessment of the system, gather insights through user research, and implement modern design solutions that reflect equivant’s commitment to excellence in judicial services.
The challenge
Equivant’s eServices Court solution is deployed across various regions, including Red Crest and installations in Florida and Canada. However, these regional deployments developed distinct interfaces and workflows, leading to inconsistencies in user experience. To ensure a seamless experience for court staff and legal professionals globally, equivant aimed to consolidate these versions into a unified platform.
This project represents a significant leap toward achieving consistency across all of equivant's solutions, ensuring that they not only meet but exceed industry standards in usability, accessibility and functionality.
Multiple versions
The eServices Court solution existed in several iterations, each with its own unique interface and technical constraints, creating fragmented user experiences.
Technical limitations
Differences in system architecture across regions posed challenges in harmonising the UI and UX.
User satisfaction
While the platform's functionality was robust, feedback from users indicated areas for improvement in navigation, usability and visual appeal.
Scalability
The platform needed to maintain flexibility to adapt to future enhancements and integrations across varying jurisdictions.
Our Approach
To address the complexities of the eServices Court system, Portable used holistic design methodology, focusing on understanding the technical constraints, identifying user pain points, and delivering cohesive design solutions that aligned with equivant’s long-term goals.
We began with a collaborative project kick-off, bringing key stakeholders together to clarify objectives, understand the technical landscape, and align on a vision for the project. This set the foundation for a detailed Statement of Work and timeline that would guide the project's phases. This alignment ensured clarity and consistency throughout the initiative.
Next we completed a UX Review phase, in which we conducted a comprehensive heuristic review of the existing versions of the eServices Court solution. By analysing usability, navigation, and visual design, we identified areas for improvement and mapped out user flows. Alongside this, we performed a detailed technical assessment of the systems to understand the inherent constraints. This phase concluded with strategic recommendations for optimising the UI and UX across all applications.
During the UX/UI Exploration and Refinement phase Portable worked closely with equivant’s subject matter experts to ideate and develop style tiles, exploring visual directions that would form the basis for the final design. We created multiple design options, each reflecting potential enhancements in accessibility, aesthetics, and usability. Through workshops and feedback rounds, we refined these designs, ultimately delivering a cohesive design system.
For the final phase of work, we provided two to three visual directions, offering different approaches to harmonising the platform’s look and feel. After consolidating feedback, we finalised a high-fidelity visual design concept that resonated with equivant’s branding and objectives. Additionally, we built a comprehensive design library in Figma, featuring all UI components, brand elements, and interaction guidelines, ensuring a smooth transition for equivant’s developers.
Outcomes
- The UI/UX redesign has equipped equivant with a unified, user-friendly eServices Court solution that not only meets the diverse needs of global judicial systems but also enhances operational efficiency. Court staff and legal professionals can now navigate the platform with ease, reducing errors and saving time. The new design also supports future scalability, providing a strong foundation for ongoing improvements.
- By aligning on a clear design direction and implementing strategic UX/UI enhancements, equivant has strengthened its market position, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in court technology services.
- This project has set a new benchmark for judicial technology, highlighting the impact of human-centred design in streamlining complex systems.
Testimonial
"Equivant’s experience in working with the Portable team has been a very positive one. The Portable team took the time to learn about our business, applications, and technical stack challenges in order to develop the best approach for achieving our desired goal of a modernised, more efficient user application experience. They then provided in-depth guidance in implementing the approach. We look forward to working with this talented group on future projects!"
Patricia Jacoby
Director, Court R&D
Reflections
As the producer on this project, working alongside equivant on this UI/UX redesign was a rewarding experience. It allowed us to dive deep into the intricacies of judicial technology and create a more seamless, accessible experience for eServices Court users. This project underscored the power of collaborative design and technical insight, resulting in a solution that not only meets user needs but also aligns with equivant’s vision for innovation in court technology. I’m proud of the solution our teams achieved together.
Joel Langford
Digital Producer
Team
- Anthony Daff, Business Director
- Joel Langford, Digital Producer
- Fiona MacPherson, UX Designer
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