Legal Communication and Marginalized Communities

Maria Edet Umo

Faculty of Law Kampala International University Uganda

Email: umomaria@kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Legal communication plays a pivotal role in the interpretation, application, and accessibility of law. However, marginalized communities characterized by social, economic, cultural, and linguistic disenfranchisement continue to face systemic barriers that hinder effective communication within legal systems. This paper examines the intricate relationship between legal discourse and marginalized populations by examining the structural, linguistic, and institutional barriers that inhibit access to justice. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from law, psychology, and communication studies, the paper analyzes how legal language, courtroom norms, attorney-client dynamics, and cultural misunderstandings collectively contribute to legal disenfranchisement. Through case studies, technological considerations, and discussions on legal literacy, the research highlights the critical need for culturally competent legal practices, improved public legal education, and reforms in legal ethics and policy. Ultimately, the paper advocates for inclusive legal communication strategies that empower marginalized voices, foster trust, and promote equitable participation in the justice system.

Keywords: Legal communication, Marginalized communities, Legal literacy, Cultural competency, Access to justice, Legal ethics, Language barrier.

CITE AS: Maria Edet Umo (2025). Legal Communication and Marginalized Communities. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 6(1):96-105 https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJCIAM/2025/6.1.96105