The Future of Law: How Legal Services Are Evolving in the UK
Over the last few decades, technological change has rendered many parts of the UK’s economy all but unrecognisable. One industry that’s been resistant to change is law – but that’s changing, thanks to the digital revolution that’s now unfolding.Let’s consider a few of the ways in which law is changing.
Technological Advancements in Legal Practice
Among the most promising recent developments are those that involve artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies are particularly useful where contracts are concerned. Through large language models, a human worker can draw up a standard contract in a matter of seconds – which leaves more time for creative thinking and problem-solving. Similarly, chatbots powered by the same technology might be able to field common questions from clients.
These technologies allow for considerable improvements in efficiency, and when employed properly, they might also increase satisfaction among workers. However, there are problems to consider, too. Artificial intelligence relies on the consumption of considerable amounts of data – and where client data is being used to train models, a number of ethical problems might arise. Are there biases inherent in a dataset which might be measurable in the output? How will all of this client data be kept safe and secure?
As technology continues to evolve, solicitor offices are increasingly adopting AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency and provide more value to clients.
The Rise of Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs)
Technological innovation has made it possible for legal services to be provided by organisations other than traditional law firms. Often, alternative legal service providers work by focussing on a particular area of law, where they can enjoy the efficiency benefits of specialisation. For example, an ALSP might carry out legal research, or review documents.
Evolving Client Expectations and Service Delivery
Technological advancement has had a number of indirect consequences over the years. Among the most important of them has been a lifting of consumer expectations. Clients have come to expect transparency and cost-effectiveness in other areas of their lives, and these expectations are being felt in the world of law, too. Alternative models for billing, like fixed-fee services, and online portals for case management, are becoming increasingly popular. It’s also worth noting that the internet is making it easier for clients to access legal information – and disinformation. As such, they might seek legal advice having already educated themselves to some extent.
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The Integration of AI in Legal Research and Document Management
One area where artificial intelligence is particularly worthwhile is in legal research. It’s possible for the right algorithm to trawl through huge amounts of text in a matter of moments, in a way that’s intelligent and targeted. While these tools are constantly improving, it’s important to note that they are not flawless. It remains essential that a human being be involved in the research process, to ensure the quality of the work.
