Opinion

For too long, the legal function has been seen as a necessary safeguard. Important, yes, but rarely strategic. Legal is often the department that slows things down, jumps in at the last minute and spends too much money on outside counsel. In contrast to this traditional perception, I recently stumbled upon one of Jordan Furlong’s […]

Are we about to see legal systems be based on computer-based decisions, or will humans still part of justice? Rise of the machines…or not? Some may argue that the law is black and white, and that a computer can do it better than a human. They may claim that law is based on rules and […]

Almost everyone with whom we speak in the legal profession believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform how we work and the solutions we offer for our clients. We often hear: “If you’re not on board the AI train, you will get run over by it.” But which way is that train heading and how do […]

Belarus The most recent study on the automation of legal activities in Belarus was carried out in 2021. It depicted a clear dissatisfaction among lawyers with the current level of automation. Issues around high costs of solutions and lack of clarity regarding the real-world benefits of these implementations were also raised. A subsequent survey conducted […]

Austria The situation as of mid-2023 is that few true legaltech startups have gained traction (fairplane.at, notarity.com). Legal Tech is fostered by the two major legal publishers via their databases and by law firms, the latter with differentiated success. Currently we see the interest in AI powered applications rising, the topic has left its bubble […]

Estonia Estonia will see these legal technology developments in 2024: • FutureLaw conference and other events will showcase legal-tech innovations and trends and promote collaboration and networking among legal professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers from various countries and regions. • NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence, a multinational and interdisciplinary hub of cyber defense […]

On the 12 May this year I addressed around 600 lawyers at the annual dinner of ARDL, the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers at The Guildhall, London where I spoke about the role of equality, diversity and inclusion in Artificial Intelligence. I spoke about the potential of AI, its influence and impact on society […]

Before launching Office & Dragons, I was an M&A lawyer with Kirkland & Ellis in London and New York, advising large private equity firms on billion-dollar deals. In that time, I witnessed first-hand the mounting pressures that both our clients and our firm were facing. The way that deals get done is changing. Things are […]

Great irregularities in life always bring forth droves of people wondering ‘what next’. I will join their ranks and outline my views on what is going to happen next in legal technology and how the ongoing crisis will reshape the legal industry. I will start with the obvious. We consider the legal professions to be […]

There’s nothing like a melodramatic battle to distract us from what’s important. I’ve watched one unfold recently, energetically fought with hashtags and press releases. In the red corner, we’ll call our fighter ‘AI Hype’. AI Hype is going to take over your job and make you millions whilst simultaneously predicting serendipitous legal flights of fancy. […]

Legaltech adoption has been on the lips of every city law firm. But is this really being put into practice? By 2022 – that is three years from now – Wolters Kluwer reports that at least two-thirds of organisations already leveraging on technology today will be actively utilising technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and […]