The legal field has been seeing a significant transformation. There was a time when the legal field was seen as a closely knit profession, but now it has turned into a global enterprise market. There are many factors responsible for the change in the legal field, and one of the most important is the role of technology.
There has been a tectonic shift from the predigital to the digital era in the legal field. The legal profession has been going through a profound revolution due to globalisation and the increasing participation and involvement of countries. Technology has made legal education more accessible while also ensuring that the content is palpable. The development of technology has influenced both legal practices and legal education. Furthermore, technology can make legal education more effective with its help in analysing legal matters, conducting legal research, and collecting and sorting facts.
The use of technology has increased the efficiency of legal offices and the productivity of clerical workers. With the advent of legal technology, there is greater transparency between a law firm and its clients. Moreover, the current legal professors are facing the challenge of teaching students who are heavily exposed to technology. Bringing technology into the classroom has become inevitable when dealing with millennial students.
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The technology on which the legal field extensively relies is in-house documentation software, cloud-based technology, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Word processors and e-discovery solutions, Time Tracking and billing technology solutions, Blockchain-based smart contracts and payment solutions, Augmented and Virtual Reality, etc.
Legal tech refers to the application of technology that helps lawyers and law firms digitise processes involved in providing legal services. Technology has improved the accessibility and quality of legal services by streamlining lawyer-client communication, automating e-discovery, simplifying case management, leveraging analytics, creating online communities, and bringing more transparency. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise the legal system. Artificial intelligence (AI) has several potential uses in court proceedings, from assisting with case preparation to aiding in the decision-making process.
Artificial intelligence helps lawyers and judges analyse large volumes of data, such as previous cases, judicial decisions, and predictions regarding the outcome of the case, and helps make informed decisions. It further helps lawyer manage their caseloads, schedule appointments, and review legal documents. Artificial intelligence-powered language translation tools can be assessed in court proceedings where there is a language barrier, allowing for real-time translation of the proceedings. Though there are several advantages to using artificial intelligence, heavy reliance should not be placed on it; the role of human judgment is also important, whereas AI can lead to biased and unjust outcomes. Therefore, it is important to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in a way that upholds the principles of fairness and justice.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud of the Supreme Court called for a healthy balance between the use of technology and human intervention to enhance the experience of the justice delivery system. He said that while technology is the facilitator of change, the driver of change has been, is, and will continue to be the human mind. He was further of the opinion that we can never forget the human face of justice, which lies at the back of all technologies. A further Supreme Court judge stated that technology should bring about transformation and not just automation, but he also urged the judges, members of the bar, and other stakeholder groups to adapt to the needs of technology because it is here to stay.
It is possible to chat with different attorneys and stay in touch in real-time while also getting acquainted with basic legal requirements. This can further help in partnering with the right professionals and also provide other benefits besides transparency. The use of technology in the legal field can go a long way towards improving efficiency and attracting many more clients. It has also created many legal services, including transparency and a reduction in documentation errors.
If you are a lawyer, then you must channel the power of technology to empower your legal practice. Chitkara University teaches legal programs with the adoption of technology, which puts lawyers on the path to success.
