Is Technology Revolutionising Law?
In a profession that once relied heavily on paper records and manual documentation, advances in technology are making the legal industry more accurate, efficient, accessible and cost-effective. Changing client needs can be met, and new flexible, adaptive approaches ensure the legal industry remains competitive.
Documentation Management
AI allows for the automation of routine tasks. AI software can also be used to scan vast amounts of documents in a process known as e-discovery to search for specific and relevant information needed for a case that could take hours or days to manually paper-research. This frees up time to allow for higher-level tasks to be carried out. AI can also help lawyers make data-driven decisions through the predictive outcome of legal disputes by analysing past trends and records.
Improved efficiency with documentation filing and cloud computing allows access to information at any time and with rapid speed while allowing for collaborative working. Software gives access to vast legal resources to allow better access to information. As well as making the legal practice more efficient, it also allows for a better work-life balance for lawyers who can work remotely from any location.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology has mitigated the need for manual contracts, instead replacing them with automated smart contracts. These digital contracts automatically execute when certain criteria are met, removing the need for intermediaries. Increased security for the platform ensures transactions are recorded in tamper-proof environments.
Online Dispute Resolution
Social distancing and remote working measures from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to rapid technological advancements in online dispute resolution. New measures have been put into place to allow court cases to be resolved outside of traditional courtrooms via video conferencing. This has allowed a more flexible, convenient and accessible approach, enabling small claim disputes to resolved online and usually at a lower legal cost.
Technological Concerns
While technology has brought tremendous benefits to law firms world-wide, it has also brought added difficulties. With more documentation and sensitive information online, law firms have become a target for cyber-attacks. Data protection acts such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California mean that law firms must do more to mitigate cyber security attacks and data leaks.
Techniques using AI for e-discovery could lead to biased results which can raise questions about the ethical use of technology in law. Predictive analysis and collected data may not indicate a fair and just representation and potentially lead to discrimination.
As technology advances, there may also be an issue of tech literacy as many lawyers struggle to keep up with new software and digital techniques needed to perform their duties.
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Gavin Crewe is a regular contributor of informative articles to Oxford Home Schooling.
