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Substantive vs Non-Substantive Apps

Substantive vs. Non-Substantive applications​

We can distinguish between substantive apps that replace a traditional legal advice role, from non-substantive apps that simply make the job of a litigant or lawyer simpler.

Substantive apps:

  • Gather facts from the user
  • Provide information that is tailored to the user's situation
  • May provide final documents that are similarly tailored to the user's situation

In short, they act a lot like a lawyer who meets with a client. And users often treat these apps like lawyers.

Substantive apps include:

  • Expert systems
  • Form and template filling applications