LS5 - Our New UI Interface: A Fresh Look with Familiar Functionality
We're excited to announce the launch of our new user interface design. This update brings a more modern, accessible, and visually appealing experience while maintaining all the functionality you rely on daily.
In this article:
- What's New and Improved
- Timeline and Transition
- How the Interface to Use is Determined
- Switching Between Interfaces
- Features No Longer Supported (separate article)
- Known Issues (separate article)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support Resources
- Recordings
What's New and Improved
Our refreshed interface features:
- Enhanced White Space: A cleaner layout that reduces visual clutter and improves focus
- Improved Accessibility: Better contrast, readable fonts, and more intuitive navigation
- Modern Design Elements: Updated icons, buttons, and visual cues that align with current design standards
- Consistent Experience: Unified look and feel across all sections of the system
- Increased Flexibility: Beneath the hood, we're transitioning to an API-driven system that will allow for incremental and ongoing changes to the UI as well as more robust API offerings
While the appearance has changed, you'll find that all tools and features continue to work as before. This update is about improving how you interact with our system, not changing what you can do with it.
Timeline and Transition
- November 2025: LS5 is available for sites to begin previewing and testing.
- October 2, 2026: Every user can preview LS5 and switch back and forth to LS4 during the transition. We will provide a site administrator override that can block users from switching to LS5.
- January 1, 2027: We will stop developing new LS4 features. Until retirement, we will continue addressing security issues and failures that materially interfere with LS4’s operation.
- April 2, 2027: This is our working retirement date, and organizations should plan around it. Once LS4 is retired, it will no longer be available, and every organization will use LS5. We may adjust this date only for compelling reasons.
How the Interface to Use is Determined
- User Preference: This is checked first. Users can select one of three "Style Template" options on their Preferences page:
- If the user has selected Legalserver 5, they see LS5.
- If the user has selected Legalserver 4, they see LS4.
- If the user has selected "Use Site Setting", the system looks at the site setting.
- Site Setting: Administrators pick a Current Site Template Style on the Admin > Site Settings page.
- If the Site Setting is LS5, the user sees LS5 if their preference is "Use Site Setting".
- If the Site Setting is LS4, the user sees LS4 if their preference is "Use Site Setting".
Switching Between Interfaces: Administrator and User Guide
Administrator Controls: Enabling LS5 for Groups of Users via Roles
Administrators can enable the new interface for users currently in one or more user roles:
- Navigate to the Site Settings page
- Go to Template Style
- Click on Launch LS5 Transition Wizard
- Select the user roles for the users you want to switch to the LS5 interface
- Click Apply Settings to implement the change
NB: The wizard does not set a "role-level" setting; instead, it loops through every user in the selected role and updates their individual "Style Template" user preference behind the scenes. The wizard overwrites each user's preference. If a user set their preference to "Legalserver 4", then selecting their user role in the wizard will overwrite that to "Legalserver 5". However, the user can then change their Style Template preference back to "Legalserver 4" if they want.
For Individual Users: Switching Between Interfaces
To Return to the Classic Interface (LS4): At any time, users can switch back to the classic interface by:
- Opening the user menu in the upper right-hand corner
- Selecting Switch to LS4
To Switch to the New Interface (LS5): Users who have returned to the classic interface can easily switch back to LS5 by:
- Locating the button next to their username at the top of the page
- Clicking Switch to LS5
This flexibility allows users to choose their preferred interface during the transition period while becoming familiar with the new design.
Style Template Preference: Users can also choose a Style Template on their Preferences page. "Use site setting" lets you switch back and forth while using LegalServer. "LegalServer 4" and "LegalServer 5" set your default.
Features No Longer Supported
See: Behavior and Features LS5 will not Support
Known Issues
See the LS5 Known Issues page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to switch to the new interface right away?
A: No, but LS4 is slated to no longer be available as of April 2, 2027.
Q: Will I need to relearn how to use the system?
A: No, all functionality remains the same. The changes are visual and navigational only.
Q: Why are you updating the interface?
A: To improve accessibility, align with modern design standards, and enhance the overall user experience.
Q: Will I lose any data when switching between interfaces?
A: No, all your data remains intact regardless of which interface you use.
Q: If I make a change to branch logic, forms, or process in LS4, will it show up in LS5?
A: Yes! You're making changes to the same system, these are just two different interfaces.
Q: If I make a change to branch logic, forms, or process in LS5, will it show up in LS4?
A: Yes! You're making changes to the same system, these are just two different interfaces.
Q: Do I need to switch all my users at once?
A: No, you can switch individual users, or switch them in bulk based on the user role using the template wizard.
Support Resources
If you have questions about the new interface, please file a ticket from your site or contact our support team at support@legalserver.org. If you email support directly, please indicate you are on the LS5 version. We welcome your feedback as you explore the refreshed design.