Digitisation has impacted every single sector of business that there is. While most of us will see this regularly in the retail, business, and hospitality industries, we often overlook the legal sector. This article explores 5 technologies in the modern era which have made legal practice easier.
Tech has been a game changer across all industries. From the digitisation of farming equipment to the huge leaps in supply chain tech, the digital revolution has affected us all. Common perceptions of legal practitioners are that they file excessive amounts of hard copy paperwork. However, the introduction of different technologies has changed the legal sector forever.
5 Technologies that Changed Law
How has technology shaped the course of legal practice in recent years? These technologies prove that digitalisation of the legal sector is well underway.
1 – The Internet
Let’s start within a lifetime of today. The invention of the World Wide Web meant easier document storage and retrieval. The word processor units of the late 70’s and database development in the early 80s meant massive changes in legal documentation.
2 – The Cloud
Eventually the internet would evolve to outsourced data storage systems which save money for the modern law office. Without the need for a whole floor of hardware to keep your business online, law offices now send data to secure servers who specialise in protecting consumer data. Law offices save on rented space, electricity, and staffing, all while cutting down on physical paperwork.
We call this type of data storage the Cloud. It enables advanced protection of client data, a reduction in overheads, and instantly accessible information retrieval.
3 – Case Management Software
Case Management Software systems are constantly evolving to meet new requirements and expectations from the legal landscape. This type of program creates a single platform application where legal practitioners can store all the data regarding individual cases in one place. Easy to access and perfect for storage solutions, these software systems contain client information, interactions with relevant third parties, document filing dates, and evidence.
4 – Telecommunications
Improvements in telecommunications have positively impacted all areas of industry. In the legal sector, this was a saving grace popularised during the pandemic. Video meetings became essential to the day-to-day progress of legal practices. Without programs like Skype and Zoom, legal decisions would have slowed to zero.
5 – Digital Court Appearances
Not all lawyers are unfortunate enough to deal with cases where the victims will only give video evidence, but it does happen. Digital technology has allowed these victims their privacy, preventing the pain of facing their attacker in public across the court room floor. If there was ever an application of technology benefiting legal practices, it was this.
Future Tech in the Law Industry
Like every other digital business, legal practitioners have been impacted by digitisation. Just like any other practice then, they will continue this trend well into the future. Common themes of future tech involve advanced AI and automated task setting to an elevated degree. What is the future of law tech? Less paperwork, easier filing, and enhanced communication between legal representatives.