New technology is reshaping the way we deliver legal services
Ross Nicol says innovative tools have transformed the way he works
The legal profession and its delivery of services is undergoing a transformation, driven by innovation and the rise of legal technology. The Scottish legal sector is no different and a growing number of Scottish firms are at the forefront of this evolution.
As Kerry Westland, Head of Innovation at Addleshaw Goddard puts it: “Innovation is no longer a side project or something that sits on the edges but something that runs through how legal work actually gets done”. Legal technology is not only changing how lawyers deliver their services, but importantly it is also changing client expectations, whether on firm capabilities, scoping of work or pricing.
Legal technology encompasses a broad range of solutions. Document automation tools use templates and clause banks to generate draft contracts. Generative AI helps with contract reviews, summarising documents and even producing updated drafts of contracts. Contract management systems allow in-house teams to better manage contracts, including obligations tracking and using contract data to gain insights and improve their contract processes. Case, matter and workflow management solutions are increasingly used for disputes and other volume work.
Many firms are adopting tools such as Microsoft Copilot and developing their own technologies. At Addleshaw Goddard, for example, we have developed AGPT, an internally built GenAI Assistant which is used firm-wide for a range of use cases such as drafting, summarisation, document review, translation and creating communication content. As a practising lawyer of over 20 years, the tools I have been using in the last couple of years have transformed the way I work.
There are clear benefits from using such technologies, including efficiency for lawyers and for clients (often removing or streamlining repetitive and time-consuming tasks). Legal technology can also improve consistency and quality. New technologies provide greater insights and valuable data for lawyers and their clients. Portals, status updates and self-serve tools also provide a better client service and increased transparency.
The adoption of legal technology is not without challenges. GenAI is helpful but tools can provide incorrect (or even made up) information. As with many technology solutions, the output is only as good as the input information and the prompts.
Law firms still require to implement validation steps and/or reach a clear understanding with their client on what level of validation will be undertaken – which can have a corresponding impact on the scope of the work and costs. Confidentiality, data protection and cyber security issues must be carefully considered when adopting any new technologies and lawyers must also ensure that their use of legal technology remains compliant with their regulatory duties.
It is interesting to note from recent surveys that while many of the largest firms are adopting new technologies,such as Generative AI, smaller and high street firms have a lower uptake. This may not be surprising, given that the largest firms have teams focused on innovation and potentially have more resources to adopt and develop tools. However, as the market continues to mature, such tools are likely to be adopted widely across the profession. This will be for the benefit of all clients.
Innovation and legal technology are reshaping the legal market and Addleshaw Goddard and the other Scottish firms committed to embracing technology will play a key role in the future of legal services. As an intellectual property and technology lawyer, it is an exciting time.
Ross Nicol is a Partner and specialist in Intellectual Property and Technology, Addleshaw Goddard
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