Lawyers in the UK have realized the importance of using new technology to improve their services and help grow their firms. Wise lawyers are also brainstorming ideas to streamline tasks and increase profits with new technology. A few examples of technology that lawyers are experimenting with include big data, cloud-based services, and artificial intelligence.
HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR LAWYERS HELP YOU BE MORE PRODUCTIVE
Law firms in the UK are focused on improving client experience and reducing costs. They are turning to new technology to help them achieve those goals. According to a Redcentric survey, 74 percent of UK law firms plan to invest in new technologies within two years. 36 Percent of the law firms that plan to adopt new technologies in the next two years actually plan to do so by the end of 2016. Redcentric has interpreted this statistic as a sign of urgency among law firms.
35 Percent of the law firms surveyed reported that improvements to client experience is their top priority, whereas 31 percent said cutting costs is most important. Therefore, enhancing customer experience and reducing expenses are the most important goals of law firms in the UK. You'll likely find this trend in other countries too as many businesses are beginning to recognize how important a customer's experience with their brand is. Cutting costs has always been a natural concern of many businesses and service providers.
BIG DATA FOR LAWYERS
Big data is a wonderful, yet underutilized, tool for lawyers because it can help them with research and case preparation. The legal system consists of an overwhelming amount of data that is constantly accumulating with each new case. No lawyer wants to miss out on a key insight from one of those cases that could help him win a case, but it's also impossible to keep up with everything on your own.
Ravel Law solved this problem by creating algorithms that show lawyers insights and connections using the giant database of court cases. They also have a service called Judges Analytics that provides a list of judges that would be most sympathetic to the lawyer's arguments for a specific case. Big data tools like this are priceless for lawyers.
HOW CLOUD-BASED SERVICES HELP LAWYERS
Cloud-based services is another area for lawyers to look at if they're interested in reduced costs, accessibility from multiple devices, and greater flexibility. Traditional software needs to be installed on your computer, but cloud computing software takes place over the Internet. You don't need to install anything when you use a cloud-based service. Before using a cloud computing app, ask yourself if it will improve your efficiency or effectiveness. Always take the time to see if it's really helping your law firm.
DELEGATE TO AI
Artificial intelligence is starting to make its way into the legal world as well. ROSS is an AI that can search for court cases that you ask for and provide information about them. It will also let you know how relevant it is to the situation at hand. Some lawyers plan to use ROSS as a cheaper option for clients who need legal advice but can't afford a lawyer. This opens up a new market for lawyers without them having to lower their fees or do the work themselves.
Andrew Arruda, the co-founder and CEO of ROSS Intelligence, explained that, “With ROSS, lawyers can focus on advocating for their client and being creative rather than spending hours swimming through hundreds of links, reading through hundreds of pages of cases looking for the passages of the law they need to do their job.
Lawyers who keep an eye out for new technology that can help their firms will have an advantage over their competitors who aren't too anxious to try new things. Anything that improves your workflow and reduces costs is worth looking into. Three types of technology that are beneficial for lawyers include big data, cloud-based software, and artificial intelligence. Consider what your law practice needs most right now and explore one of these options that can fulfill that need and help you grow your firm.
