How technology is shaping the legal sector in the UK
In order to grow, successful law firms need to embrace the future, and technology is just one way of doing this. Technological advancement had resulted in rapid changes, and the legal sector has increasingly reaped the benefits. Firms are now utilising technology to assist and address issues within the practice, and focus on efficiency gains. New software programmes and mobile apps are increasing and aiding security functions, new tech is assisting billing and management, time recording, and much more.
During the pandemic, videoconferencing helped firms traverse geographical areas, and cloud based software meant it was easier to shift towards agile and remote working, quickly. It is this period of digital acceleration that continues to shape the future of the legal sector in the UK.
In the future, it is likely that firms will focus on the client experience. The days have long since passed when clients wait days for a response. Now, they expect real-time updates and absolute transparency. Historically, the legal sector lagged behind in this area, but competition has forced firms to improve their client experience. Client expectations now mean that firms need to embrace immediacy. Technology will allow firms to automate client service with real-time responses via AI and Chatbots, client hubs providing instantaneous updates, and cloud-based project management systems sending consistent and timely notifications.
According to forecasts, there will be a rise in virtual law firms offering a consultancy model to lawyers operating from a central platform in return for a percentage share of their fees. This consultancy model is in keeping with what is happening in other business sectors, and whilst not quite gig economy, does point to the ongoing trend of flexible working. Proving that lawyers can, in fact, work successfully and productively from home.
As with many sectors, legal technology is likely to become increasingly automated, with tedious and repetitive tasks simplified. The most obvious contender here is legal document creation and review. Forward thinking firms, both small and large, are likely to have elements of work completely automated, and many practices are already on their way. There is already software with tools that allow lawyers to find clauses, minimise mistakes, make sure client work is ready, and validate citations, to list but a few. At its heart, these tools are designed to make everything simple and quick, which invariably free’s up time for lawyers to tackle more complex matters.
Such technological advances can seem daunting and full of complexity, but as other business sectors have found, it doesn’t have to be so. Machine learning and AI are likely to play a huge role in legal tech innovation, with firms increasingly turning to chatbots to answer volume client queries and improve customer services. In the same way, tools that rely upon large volumes of data will become increasingly important, supporting research and analysis, as well as providing firms with a clear indication of future trends and patterns.
The implementation of online legal libraries and resources appears to have had a direct impact on firms productivity and efficiency. Virtual libraries have created greater accessibility, allowing staff to focus on other tasks. And when working remotely, means a task doesn’t have to be postponed until they are back in the office.
It is clear that for forward thinking and ambitious firms, embracing technology is essential not only for growth but to avoid being left behind. Technology has redefined the legal sector, and firms need to embrace new technological advances to ensure they remain relevant, no matter what environmental and economic factors they face.