Dr Sarah Stephens
Chief Executive Officer
Sarah Stephens founded Smart Justice to create technology-enabled solutions that expand access to justice. A solicitor and Associate Professor of Legal Innovation at the University of Sussex, she brings deep expertise in AI, justice reform, and user-centred design, and serves on the Online Procedure Rule Committee.
Danford Nchembi
Chief Technology Officer
Danford Nchembi is a seasoned software developer and AI researcher with a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and ongoing PhD research. He specialises in applying advanced AI techniques to complex social and justice-sector problems and leads the technical development of Smart Justice’s digital innovation portfolio.
Dr Cecilia Ngaiza
Director of Dada Wakili, Tanzania
Dr Cecilia Ngaiza is a legal scholar and Advocate of the High Court with a PhD in human and peoples’ rights and extensive experience across the access-to-justice and legal advice sector. She brings her expertise in human rights and her passion for empowering underserved communities to her role leading the scale-up of Dada Wakili in Tanzania.
Martha de la Roche
Director of the Justice Innovation Group
Martha is Director of Insights & Engagement at the Access to Justice Foundation and co-founded the Network for Justice, the platform that evolved into the Justice Innovation Group. She brings extensive expertise in access to justice, legal advice ecosystems, and driving collaboration and innovation across the sector.
Leonard Chimanda
Justice Research & Content Advisor
Leonard Chimanda is a legal scholar and advocate with expertise in access to justice, refugee protection, legal empowerment and justice sector reform. He plays a key role in the development of Dada Wakili, supporting the translation and adaptation of legal content, testing the platform, and ensuring that information is accessible, accurate and relevant for users. Drawing on his experience across research, policy and practice, Leonard helps bridge the gap between legal expertise and technology-enabled justice solutions.
Awards
