Reform Description

The project “Transparency for All” aims to revolutionize the experience of accessing information within the scope of the Court of Justice of the State of Minas Gerais (TJMG), going beyond the formal fulfillment of legal publicity obligations. Although the TJMG already publishes on its Transparency page all the data required by the Access to Information Law (LAI – Law No. 12,527 of November 18, 2011) and by CNJ Resolution No. 215, it is acknowledged that the technical language, the fragmented organization of the content, and the lack of explanatory resources render the information inaccessible to most citizens.

The initiative proposes applying principles of citizen communication and user-centered design to adapt the content of the Transparency page, using plain language, educational explanations, infographics, videos, and glossaries to facilitate the understanding of public data. It also includes active listening to users through usability research and navigation testing. This is an innovative approach within the justice ecosystem, aligned with best practices in open government, focused on inclusion, institutional empathy, and the democratization of legal-institutional knowledge.

The project will be implemented on two fronts: (i) restructuring the Transparency page based on diagnostics and active listening; (ii) creating a communication plan aimed at promoting the effective use of information by diverse audiences.

Problem(s) Addressed by Reform

The *Transparency for All* initiative seeks to address the gap between the formal obligation to publish data and the citizen's actual ability to understand and use it. The prevailing technical language on institutional portals alienates the average citizen, restricting the full exercise of social oversight and undermining trust in institutions. The issue identified at the Court of Justice of Minas Gerais (TJMG) — also present in other courts — is that of "inaccessible transparency": information is available, but presented in a hermetic manner, without pedagogical mediation or linguistic adaptation. Furthermore, there are no ongoing mechanisms for user feedback, which prevents structural adjustments based on their experience. This disconnect between what is published and what is understood results in informational exclusion, especially for audiences with lower digital or legal literacy. Overcoming this barrier requires an institutional transformation oriented toward citizen communication and digital inclusion, which is the aim of this initiative.

The *Transparency for All* initiative represents a turning point in the traditional logic of the Judiciary by recognizing that the mere provision of data does not ensure transparency nor promote citizenship. By incorporating usability techniques, empathetic design, and citizen-oriented language, the TJMG aims to establish a new standard of institutional communication focused on clarity, accessibility, and inclusion.
This project is pioneering in proposing that transparency be a comprehensible and meaningful experience for the citizen, not merely a legal requirement. It is a significant step, as it integrates innovation, active listening, and user-centered methodologies into an institutional culture still marked by technicality and top-down communication.

The restructuring of the page based on participatory diagnostics breaks with the model of passive transparency and fosters a more democratic institutional environment, capable of generating greater trust, engagement, and effectiveness in the relationship between the Judiciary and society.

Relevance to OGP Values

The *Transparency for All* project embodies the values of the OGP by linking active transparency with accessibility, comprehension, and citizen engagement. The initiative expands the traditional notion of transparency by recognizing it as a communicational process that must be inclusive, interactive, and responsive.

Civic participation has been incorporated from the outset of the initiative through a usability study that gathered feedback from real users with diverse profiles on the obstacles faced when navigating and understanding the institutional page. This active listening will guide the changes and ensure that the new page format is truly functional and welcoming.

Furthermore, the proposal strengthens public accountability by enabling citizens to better understand the functioning of the Court, thereby allowing for more informed social oversight. By combining transparency with participatory design and citizen-oriented language, the project may serve as a good practice for other Judiciary bodies to enhance their transparency policies and adopt open justice practices in their portals.

Intended Results

To deliver to citizens a transparency page whose content maintains the technical quality of the data and information, accompanied by explanations—whether through text, video, audio, or design techniques—that facilitate the understanding of the subject matter and content, based on the findings of the usability study.

Milestones

The initiative is divided into two main phases:

1.Adaptation of the TJMG Transparency page content with a focus on citizen communication.
1.1. Analysis of the Transparency page to diagnose its current structure and prioritize content;
1.2. Alignment meeting with the teams involved – Innovation Lab and Executive Communication Directorate;
1.3. Development and application of the Usability Survey for the Transparency page;
1.4. Meeting with the Court sectors responsible for the information and data published on the website;
1.5. Production of explanatory texts about the information and data, using plain language and citizen communication techniques to enhance users' level of understanding.

2. Creation of content for a communication plan aimed at the various channels of interaction with the Court’s internal and external audiences, in order to inform them about the changes implemented on the page and, above all, to promote access to and understanding of the content published by the public organization.

Is Civil Society Involved?

Yes. Civil society is involved in defining the initiative, as the first stage consists of gathering users’ impressions and criticisms when using the TJMG Transparency page to seek information. To this end, a usability survey was developed, targeting a diverse range of user profiles in order to obtain different perspectives.

This stage will be of utmost importance to more effectively guide the modifications to be made and, thus, bring the communication approach closer to one that serves the general public, not only control organizations.