Aiming to help solicitors increase productivity rather than replace solicitors, LawTech looks to benefit solicitors in meeting their client needs more efficiently.
There is no doubt that we are surrounded by technology and despite some resistance to implementing technology, especially in the legal sector, there comes a point where it is becoming essential and practices must adapt. The Law Society, who represents, promotes and supports solicitors, has issued a guide to tech in the legal sector; the guide supports members in adapting to a technologically changing environment and adopting new technologies. Alongside events allowing members to contact LawTech providers as well as Tech Talks focusing on various issues of technology in the legal sector, it “is supporting solicitors to consider the merits and implications of LawTech in response to this changing environment.”
As with any changes, there are concerns in the legal sector that technology may begin to replace roles, however the guide reassures those wary of adopting new technology that despite some tasks, such as recognising patterns in data sets possibly reducing research usually undertaken by juniors, more traditional models of legal services will continue to be important.
In a changing society, clients are looking for solicitors with lower costs, greater efficiency and ability to provide transparent costs. With LawTech products such as document management and automation, data analysis, account and entity screening, smart legal contracts and even chatbots, there are many steps that firms can take to meet the ever-growing pressure to meet customer expectations on cost, speed, and competence.
“Technology is a powerful tool that will irreversibly change the way legal services are provided. Legal practitioners have an opportunity to adapt to this brave, new, technological world – however our research shows a significant knowledge gap between big and small firms, and across different types of practice.
This guide exists to provide information and advice to smaller firms and sole practitioners, who may lack the resources of larger legal businesses when considering the adoption of technology – so that all are able to make informed choices about what is right for their business and their clients.” – said Simon Davis, Law Society of England and Wales president
The Law Society and LawTech have identified the main difficulties for firms to implement new technology as being cost and time to implement, market confusion as well as the wariness of external providers when it comes to client confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
The guide, however, offers advice on how to successfully implement products and services into a firm. The key questions to ask before the implementation of any new technology are:
- That cyber security and GDPR provisions are in place
- How the solution you are considering, and its support process survives testing in your organisation
- The extent of support from the vendor for your user environment
- What happens to your data at the end of the contract?
- The training your staff will require
- How to measure the Rate of Return (ROI) on your investment.
Once a firm has decided to implement new technology and practices, the guide states:
“Clear goals, senior level sponsorship and good project management are often the keys to success. A…Employing a LawTech ‘champion’ with a remit for clear communications, and committing to training and support for staff, are central to effective implementation.
“It is also helpful to remember that LawTech implementation projects should be seen as part of a wider and ongoing cycle of strategic review, implementation and review.”
