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The hype surrounding LegalTech is at an all-time high. Law firms and in-house legal teams are under increasing pressure to automate processes and become more efficient. We are seeing rapid growth of new vendors in this industry as is evident from just a wander down the Start-up Alley at Legal Geek. This can be overwhelming […]

The Legal Technologist has published 9 main issues and one careers supplement since May 2018, drawing on articles from contributors around the world and providing perspectives on the latest issues affecting law and technology. Marc May is the founder/editor of the magazine and explains the journey from light bulb moment to the bi-monthly publication it […]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Though India is in the forefront of technology and the outsourcing space, its name fails to figure prominently in the legal tech arena. The legal industry in India is tight-knit and small in comparison to other countries. The USA, UK, Australia, Europe and now even Singapore are hotbeds for innovation in legal tech. This is […]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]AI: the two magical letters of our century. A couple of years ago, artificial intelligence was just in our GPS in our cars and the google translate service. Today, algorithms based on machine learning are disrupting various sectors, from personalised education to medicine. Using AI to revolutionise the efficiency of the healthcare system sounds tempting. […]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]University opportunities on offer Law students are highly regarded for studying an intellectually challenging and stimulating degree. Currently students are taught hard law with some soft law elements such as research, essay and dissertation writing. It is undeniable that mooting, court visits, pro bono and negotiation are wonderful opportunities which universities currently offer. Professional guest […]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Juro is an exciting LegalTech startup with an ambitious goal: to ‘make legal more human’. This rapidly growing, innovative enterprise is transforming the way lawyers work and reaping the rewards of its impressive values and integrity. Richard Mabey, co-founder and CEO, discusses the secrets of Juro’s success in a three-part series. In Part 1, […]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Four billion people are robbed of the chance to build a better life for themselves because they are excluded from the rule of law. It means that the majority of people living on our planet do not have access to legal services when they encounter a legal issue in their everyday life. Wouldn’t it be […]

During my law degree, I have been bombarded with vague articles urging me to embrace “lawtech” and “AI”. Surprisingly,“blockchain” popped up only once in a while. For students with limited connections to the legal profession, these articles may be their primary source of knowledge about legal practice. Since law students are under constant pressure to […]

Ask the Expert: What will be the impact of AI on law firms and their clients in the next ten years? Welcome to The Legal Technologist’s first ‘Ask the Expert’ feature. Our readers ask us their burning Legal Tech questions, and we hunt down answers from experts in the field. Our first question is about […]

In a period of austerity, applications of Legal Tech provide a realistic foundation from which we could rebuild acceptable levels of legal assistance. Severe cuts to civil legal aid have led to the development of a justice system that’s open to those who can afford it but closed to the most vulnerable and in need […]

Digital-first has become one of those expressions. Thrown around like confetti, it’s easy to tune it out as just the latest de-rigeur phrase for firms wanting to look in-touch. In fact, it’s nothing of the sort. It’s a fundamentally important mindset for modern business leaders, and a critical principle when undertaking any type of innovation […]

We hear so much about advanced technologies revolutionising the workplace today. We are told that Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and chatbots are changing the face of industry. And it’s a trend that’s on the up. But what does that mean in practical terms? According to Gartner’s 2019 CIO Survey, in 2015 only […]

1. The honey trap of quickness and visibility Recently we witnessed a sharp division across social feeds: some users were sharing pictures of their old, future selves, whilst others were not so happy to scroll through a geriatric ward each time they opened their social media accounts. Likewise, people were split when it came to […]

The recent wave of enthusiasm for machine learning and algorithmic decision-making has its origins in the Turing Test, introduced by English mathematician, computer scientist, logician and cryptanalyst Alan Mathison Turing in 1950. The Turing Test is a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. […]

Do you believe in love on the blockchain? Diamonds are forever, and so is the blockchain. Marriage is an institution with a long history, but technologists want to totally change how it works in the future. For them, that means blockchain. The first blockchain marriage took place in 2014, when entrepreneur David Mondrus married his […]

The Change in the In-house Counseling Position and Role In the last ten years the in-house legal profession has grown rapidly and consistently. Now approximately 20-25% of lawyers work in-house, and in the UK, the in-house counsels market doubled itself in the past 15 years and currently, one of four counsels work in-house. The role […]

Lawyers in a World of Smarter Machines A recent paper (Toward a Phenomenology of Machine-Assisted Legal Work) lays out observations and questions about the emerging socio-technical landscape in which law practice finds itself. Intelligent machines are increasingly capable of performing valuable legal work. To what extent can and should we ‘go on autopilot’? When might […]

The increasing integration of technology into working life has created challenges as well as opportunities. Some professionals may fear technology will replace them, while others are struggling to effect technological change due to inertia and resistance within the profession. The legal sector is one of the sectors which the reluctance to change has hindered the […]

While due diligence has various meanings in a legal context, we will just look at the due diligence required of UK law firms by the regulator, the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This is pervasive of all matters opened by law firms and is aimed at reducing criminal activity, such as money laundering or terrorist financing. It’s […]

By Motunrayo Akinyemi The advancement in the use of technology in the corporate world suggests the need for all professionals especially lawyers, law firms and the entire legal industry to protect itself against increasing cyber threats and evolving cybersecurity landscape. The legal industry is not immune from cyber-attacks. Therefore, it is important for lawyers to […]