The legal business has massively changed over the last five decades. Technology in the legal sector transformed a local business into a global enterprise, with a predicted worth of USD 1,011 billion until 2021.
What has driven this major change, and What are the key factors that have disturbed the legal sector?
As the different components but not limited to ethnic influences cause such a great migration in the legal sector, the most important segment in recent years is legal technology.
This paper presents the significance of technology for the legal profession.
Before diving deep into the core of the industry and the part of technology in legal sector, first, we have to explain what this term refers to as legal services.
In 2022, the global legal services market hit a size of USD 952.29 billion, and experts anticipate it will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.
This growth is due to the ever-growing use of the newest technologies and macroeconomic factors. These include growing business competition, commoditization, changing economic growth trends, and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).
Legal Services help organizations simplify legal requirements. They do this with services like conflict and policy management, examination, and reporting of filings. This need comes from the growth in the global legal services market.
Statistics
- Market size and growth: The global legal tech market was valued at a whopping $28 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach $25 billion by 2025 [1, 2]. That's significant growth in just a few years.
- Dominant region: North America is currently the leader in legal tech, and is projected to maintain that position through 2030, with a market value reaching $19.4 billion by then [3]
What is Legal Tech?
Legal technology, often known as Legal tech, involves innovative technologies and software that change the character of legal services in our daily lives. In the broadest sense, Legal tech connotes a set of technologies that:
Legal tech tools fully automate legal practitioners’ work, including document management, legal research, case management, billing, and so on.
These technologies can quickly do what people take a long time for. They are meant to help by simplifying and adding error and legal complexity.
This complexity requires experts to deal with more intricate and valuable matters.
Legal tech empowers society to be more connected to the law and legal systems by using platforms, devices, and software tools that have become the norm.
Automaticity is the less scary form of self-service you will get. It contains online legal advice, virtual legal consultations, and independent legal forms.
Platforms that match clients with attorneys also offer serialized legal resources to those in need, which they can use for free without visiting the attorney in person.
The pace of technological use will continue and, therefore, have a more significant effect on law as a profession, bringing only more developments and advantages to the two involved.
Role of Technology in the Legal Sector
Technology is transforming the legal field. This is a win for both sides. It makes things cheaper by cutting labour costs and boosting productivity.
Technology in legal sector bridges the gap between firms and clients, enabling clients to track their charges and stay informed about the progress of their cases.
When done right, a machine is faster and more efficient than a human. That’s why it is a great help to law firms, covering many different tasks.
1. Automated Processes
In the past, people performed several legal tasks by hand, a time-consuming process that demanded a lot of labour.
On the other hand, attorneys used their time repeating tasks based on information, which meant they could not attend to other imperative responsibilities.
Instead, legal applications such as word processors and eDiscovery do the work automatically.
Automating these tasks saves time and cuts down on human mistakes. It lets lawyers focus on new, more important, and productive work.
For example, think about writing contracts and reviewing documents. These tasks used to take a long time. But now, AI-powered tools do them quickly and accurately.
2. Ease of Research
Professionals in law have become accustomed to using the Internet for investigations, but the use of printed resources remains a major need.
This, in turn, can become a very time-consuming and cumbersome process for the attorneys.
Through these research systems, lawyers are aware of any law and rule updates, and they can also use sophisticated searching tools not supported by printed resources.
Also, these databases have a variety of content, such as case law, statutes, and legal journals.
Lawyers can use them to do thorough research from anywhere. Access is fast, and knowledge is improved in legal research, keeping lawyers up to date with the most recent legal points.
3. Better Resource Management
Junior lawyers often had very small tasks, like scheduling, document handling, and moving the titles, which was a time-wasting and demotivating affair.
Legal tech solutions, such as title management and calendars, do these jobs automatically. They free the younger attorneys from the work so they can do something more valuable.
This transfer allowed senior lawyers to direct their resources most efficiently, leading to excellent and successful cases.
The law firms can use their people more strategically. They will need to use more brain power to automate basic admin tasks.
4. Reduced Risk of Errors
Mistakes made by humans in their legal work can cause unwelcome results. Sometimes, even the cases could be one of the outcomes.
The technology in law contributes to the decrease in errors resulting from the absence of the sensor for visual perception and misinterpretation. Technology in the legal sector provide digital information that is easy to digest as it is.
And they do this by using advanced analytics that helps practicing lawyers see various facts and evidence from different perspectives.
Therefore, these applications enable data access, cross-reference, discovering patterns, and textual corrections, thus improving the authenticity of legal documents.
Automation has a positive side. It guarantees legal experts less risk and more accuracy. It also brings them brighter solutions for their clients.
This is a win-win situation where the legal professionals, on the one hand, minimize their risks with the help of technology in legal sector and, on the other hand, document their work with high accuracy, which leads to better legal service provision to the customers.
5. Increased Transparency
Sometimes, attorneys may complicate issues so that they can charge more for their services, adversely affecting the clients and leading to distrust, whether in law or not.
Legal practice management tools provide a single platform. This setup lets clients access lawyer profiles, chitchat, get advice and counsel, or discover basic knowledge about legal documents.
The attorney and the client build the relationship that results from this.
Clients can receive updates on their case status and billing information and communicate directly with their attorneys through a secure online portal.
This is the highest satisfaction a law firm can get from its clients. They are happy, well-informed, and part of the legal process.
6. Introduction of New Legal Products/Services
As technology in legal sector brings forth new legal service rules, the question of how to promote friendship among the clients gets consolidated.
For example, the market is rising due to online law services and virtual law firms. They let clients get legal advice and prepare documents easily on the web.
Such platforms bring a wide spectrum of customers to their stores, including individuals and small firms that need more money to work with traditional legal companies.
Through the application of technology in law firms can innovate their products and services and thus gain a wide customer base.
7. Higher Convenience
We must realize that legal-based apps and software make the legal process much simpler and more comfortable for all parties involved.
The home provides a convenient base for clients to reach required lawyers. The lawyers can update them on progress or find the information they need faster.
Through the mobile device, they can schedule appointments, obtain the required legal advice, and review the documents of the case they are interested in.
On the other hand, lawyers have the tools to work from home, communicate with their peers, and access case files and other documents on the go.
As a result, this ease of practicing law enhances the legal experience and makes service delivery quick and efficient.
8. Enhanced Customer Experience
Ensuring client satisfaction is a crucial element in the whole process, in addition to providing qualitative legal services.
AI can make a big difference by improving the customer experience and adding a personal touch.
AI algorithms will assess real-time data better to understand client preferences and present suitable legal solutions.
This flexible routine helps them to prevent or limit downtime while clients are willing to be patient, amazed, and functional.
Using AI technologies, law firms can enhance customer experience strategy and develop customer loyalty and retention through stronger client relationships.
9. More Collaboration Among Lawyers
The link between legal tech and collaboration is complete due to using technologies like Slack, Google Docs, and Microsoft Teams.
They can work on cases, draft petitions, and remotely discuss important case matters. Legal technology has become a large force in the rise of remote law firms, drawing in the attraction of lawyers and law firms to the world.
Collaboration platforms operate in a way that enables the team to find the last document saved, edit and send it to their clients, and be in contact with someone.
Legal professionals need to collaborate through technology in law. This includes sharing documents, version control, and communication.
Legal teams need to work efficiently, even if they are in different offices. As a result, the increased collaboration improves the laws, and thus, law firms can handle more complex and large-scale cases.
10. Faster Processing of Information
People use technology in law to enhance the speed and efficiency of processing information. You tackle intricate calculations and resolve errors with ease.
For example, AI-powered search engines have reduced the time needed to complete tasks like legal research from 8–9 hours five years ago to just one minute.
Lawyers can now automate document analysis and contract review, addressing tasks of a high-level nature that were previously personnel issues.
Shortening the process of informational activities allows law companies to handle a high turnover of cases, create client satisfaction, compete and be sustainable in a fast-moving legal environment.
These advantages are evidence of how legal technology can change the industry.
Law firms need to be proactive about the future. They must remain adaptive. Technology in law plays a significant role. Continuous advancements in AI are crucial.
Automation is also important. Digital platforms are expected to revolutionize the legal industry.
An Outlook of the Future of the Legal Tech Market
The business and corporate services industry brought in more than USD 210 billion in 2022. Strategic partnerships are what are driving this sector’s growth.
Companies are working to offer more services by sharing their knowledge and resources.
2022 large law firms dominated the legal services market, generating around USD 490 billion. According to estimates, the legal services market was worth USD 750.96 billion in 2023.
These firms excel due to their diverse expertise and extensive networks. Their specialized teams offer various legal services to meet different client needs.
Big firms enjoy large networks in the legal community and various industries. These networks help with referrals, partnerships, and attracting many clients.
This network lets them handle complex cases well. It also fosters collaborations that expand their reach and strengthen their reputation.
For example, in September 2023, Donaldson & Burkinshaw worked with Meridian Lawyers. The goal was to improve their global insurance and business law services.
Australia and Singapore can collaborate more easily through this partnership, which capitalizes on the strengths of both organizations.
Both companies have shared knowledge and specialized skills. These produce innovative solutions. They ensure efficient management of tricky corporate and commercial issues.
What Types Of Legal Software Systems Do Law Firms Use?
Law firms need software that functions uniformly everywhere and at all hours. Lawyers can harness these ten tools to excel in remote work.
1. Document Management
Any legal practice needs to be able to manage documents well. The old ways of doing things can take a long time and must work better.
Modern document management software allows for easy assembly, storage, and exchange of documents. Using templates is easier, and uploading files is faster, which saves time.
2. Automated Client Intake
It can take a lot of work to get complete information from clients when you have to do the intake process by hand.
Customers provide details by completing digital client intake forms online. This makes the intake process smooth, saving lawyers time and bringing in new clients.
3. Legal Accounting
Law firms require precise financial management to achieve success. Legal accounting software makes it easier to deliver, evaluate, and review financial reports, helping make good decisions.
Automated entries and error-free reports clarify the firm’s financial situation distinctly.
4. Task Management
Legal professionals have difficulty keeping up with all their tasks and deadlines. Software for managing tasks, like MatterSuite, helps you keep track of your progress, organize your work, and set reminders.
A clear view of tasks that are due, finished, and coming up increases productivity and efficiency.
5. Practice Management
MatterSuite makes all aspects of the legal process easier with its comprehensive practice management software.
These tools can do many tasks, like document management and accounting. They also do legal discovery and secure messaging. They cut the need for manual work and make operations more efficient.
6. Time and Expense Tracking
Law firms must closely track their time and costs. Using old methods doesn’t only sometimes work.
Time and expense tracking software shows businesses which hours are productive and which are not.
This helps them better manage their resources and cut down on costs that aren’t necessary.
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7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
A customer relationship management (CRM) system links different groups, like sales, marketing, and customer service, in one place.
Offering real-time access to client data through this integration increases sales, improves lead conversion, and strengthens relationships with clients.
8. Online Payment Mechanism
Law firms can improve their brand image by giving clients various payment options. Clients make payments with simplicity using LawPay and PayPal tools.
Lawyers benefit from streamlining payment records because it reduces paperwork and ensures that bills are paid on time.
9. Productivity Evaluation
While monitoring employees’ work is necessary, it can be hard without the right tools.
Technology like spreadsheets and collaboration platforms makes it easier to evaluate performance and see how everyone is doing at work, which leads to better collaboration and faster task completion.
Legal Billing Software
Legal professionals require precise billing to charge their clients correctly. it makes billing easier and keeps accurate records of billable and non-billable hours for lawyers.
Clients will get accurate billing reports, increasing their trust and satisfaction.
Setting up these top legal software programs can make a law firm much more productive, efficient, and client-satisfied, which will lead to growth and success in the long run.
How Has Technology Changed The Legal sector?
Technology revolutionizes the legal field by simplifying procedures, amplifying output, and enhancing client interaction.
Legal professionals streamline their workflow by automating document review and research tasks.
1. Remote Meetings
Technology has redefined the way professional lawyers do their practice. Nowadays, attorneys can hold clients’ consultations, team meetings, and court appearances virtually through applications like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Consequently, it is now much easier for all units to quickly keep in touch all over the globe without wasting much money travelling.
2. Online Payments
People no longer come to the office to pay their legal fees. Using online payment systems like PayPal, Stripe, and other digital banking tools has made it very easy to make transactions.
Online payment options streamline contract completion between clients with secure transactions.
3. Client Intake
The utilization of technology in law has been instrumental in streamlining the client intake process.
Digital forms and online questionnaires have made it possible for clients to provide the needed information before their first meeting.
This approach helps lawyers be more productive and accelerate the initial consultation process by cutting out the fluff with the client.
4. Virtual Offices
The high reliance of many law firms on virtual offices has reduced the cost of physical office space.
Cloud-based software enables attorneys to manage their workload, communicate with clients, and access case files from anywhere.
Increasing the possibility of offering legal services and reducing the cost of operational expenses for law firms have enhanced the resilience of legal services.
Technology in law has helped lawyers make their work easier and legal services more client-friendly. Lawyers’ character has transformed, establishing a strong presence in modern times.
When high tech appears in legal institutions, it shows the impact that tech is having as a transformation, which has taken place in many professions. The legal field has seen tremendous innovation.
Challenges Hindering The Path to Legal Disruption (& How to Mitigate Them?)
1. Lack of Understanding
The inadequate use and choice of technologies pose a significant challenge. Some are starting to see the benefits of technology in legal sector.
They are realizing how technology could help make services better. Others believe that using technology in law might create unnecessary job loss.
The survey revealed that 36% of lawyers need knowledge about the tools and technologies used in law firms to enhance their services.
2. Organizational Issues
Using technology in legal sector reshapes the legal industry’s business model, altering client acquisition, efficiency, and operations.
This change means there are organizational issues to deal with. For example, the problems include acquiring new technologies and software for daily tasks.
Also, they involve understanding the scope of various legal technologies.
Lastly, they operate under a business model that is still in development. Most companies want to avoid entering the Emerging Tech in Law space.
They seek other places to innovate but still want to keep their market position and help their business grow.
3. Financial Barriers
The cost of the production of legal technology, e.g., legal software development, is a large disadvantage.
Lawyers are not happy with the money investment part of the development stage. Frankly, about 83% of respondents said they had technology experience in the legal industry because of financing matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is technology changing the legal profession?
- Technology tackles creative tasks, freeing people to explore tech sector jobs. The legal field is changing because of technology's automation of routine tasks and the popularity of research, which has made it easier for lawyers.
- Why is legal technology important?
- The biggest challenge for many companies is the transformation and shift to automation, digital platforms, and other technologies because of the sterilization of processes and complete risk management.
- Saves work and time.
- Lowers operating costs.
- Automated discovery process,
- Improves service quality.
- Fosters new legal services.
- Provides extensive legal resources.
- Enables virtual law firms and smart contracts.
- Avoids making mistakes.
- Through smart contracts, they will process and pay out claims and distribute coins based on predetermined rules.
- What technology do law firms use?
- Legal firms use many technologies these days and do many different things. The most common technologies involve costs, usage, deployment, and service provisioning.
- The list of recent uses law firms use is
- Inhouse documentation software,
- Cloud-based technology,
- Artificial intelligence,
- Internet of Things (IoT),
- Word processors and eDiscovery solutions,
- Time tracking and billing technology solutions,
- Blockchain-based smart contracts and payment solutions,
Ending Note
The use of technology in law within the legal sector and the government can make a big difference in their productivity and in bringing in a larger client base.
This technology allows the delivery of adaptable legal service systems, gives transparency, and reduces the chances of documentation errors.
Should you plan to build an app for your legal service app, you should first contact an experienced mobile app development company in Canada.
They will lead you the whole way and give you great mobile app services you can be proud of.
Contact our team today to discuss your legal sector app development needs and get free consulting services and expert guidance on creating a successful legal service app.
