SimplyLegal

Our initial SimplyLegal dashboard
SimplyLegal translating legal language into clear, plain language.
Due Diligence Alerts highlighting potentially risky contract clauses.
SimplyLegal translating legal language based on user's preferred language
Due Diligence Alerts based on user's preferred language
PDF document of SimplyLegal translation based on user's preferred language

Inspiration

Legal language can be intimidating and difficult to understand. Contracts and formal documents often contain complex wording that hides important information. We wanted to build a tool that improves accessibility by translating complicated legal language into clear, readable text for students, non-native speakers, and anyone who benefits from simplified explanations and audio support.

What it does

SimplyLegal is a web application that translates complex legal language into clear, simplified text in multiple output languages. Users can paste text or upload PDF, DOCX, or TXT files, choose a translation mode and output language, and generate an easier-to-understand version.

In addition to simplification, SimplyLegal detects risky or one-sided clauses and provides structured “Due Diligence Alerts” explaining potential exposure and worst-case scenarios. The app also includes Read Aloud, Copy, and Download features to improve accessibility. In development mode, it runs mock logic for demos; in production, it connects to a backend API for AI-powered translation, structured risk detection, and audio generation.

How we built SimplyLegal

The frontend was built with React using a clean side-by-side layout so users can compare original and simplified text. We implemented output language selection, focus mode, word limits, and document upload support to make the tool practical for real legal documents.

The backend was built with FastAPI and uses an LLM to generate simplified explanations and structured red-flag analysis. It extracts text from uploaded files and returns both plain-language output and Due Diligence Alerts, along with audio that plays directly in the browser.

Challenges we ran into

We faced challenges merging different frontend versions while preserving new features. Managing multiple states such as loading, API errors, file uploads, typing animation, and audio playback required careful coordination. We also learned how to handle asynchronous API calls properly and convert backend audio into a playable format.

Accomplishments

We successfully integrated frontend and backend communication while maintaining a smooth user experience. Supporting document uploads, multi-language output, and structured Due Diligence Alerts makes our platform more powerful than simple text rewriters. We are especially proud that accessibility and legal risk awareness remained central to our design.

What we learned

We gained experience managing complex React state, handling API integration, supporting file uploads, and implementing audio playback. We also strengthened our collaboration skills through resolving Git conflicts and combining feature branches effectively.

What's next

Next, we want to improve translation accuracy, expand language support, and add more accessibility features such as adjustable fonts and improved contrast. We hope to fully deploy the platform with a hosted backend so it can serve a wider audience.