Advancing justice through technology
Technology underpins so much of what we do as practising solicitors, and innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly reshaping the legal landscape. Staying current is not just an advantage – it’s essential, writes Eamon Harrington.
It’s no surprise that 88% of solicitors identified cybersecurity and cybercrime as being among the top challenges facing the profession in the recent Law Society survey, while 81% highlighted that keeping up with technology was also a significant concern.
The Law Society has been developing new services that, together with those already available, aim to help you navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Tech hub
A new ‘Legal Tech Hub’ for solicitors has just been launched by the Law Society, focusing on AI, cybersecurity and the increasing use of technology in day-to-day practice.
The hub helps us understand and adapt to changing technology by bringing together existing and future resources in one convenient place – see www.lawsociety.ie/technology.
Whether working in practice or in-house, you can access resources that support you. These include templates and policies for reducing cybersecurity risk, expert insights on how AI is reshaping aspects of law, and key requirements of the AI Act, plus guidance on using technology in practice.
In addition, you’ll find links to extensive library subject guides on AI and cybersecurity.
Upskilling
In the same Law Society survey, 85% of solicitors also said that they needed upskilling to understand AI and how best to use it in their work.
The Law Society has been greatly expanding its offering, with practical and forward-looking CPD courses on AI, cybersecurity, data protection, and digital transformation to help equip you with the necessary skills and insight.
With over 7,000 people taking part in the Law Society’s recent online AI course, the demand for these services is obvious.
Still to come this year are three webinars, three on-demand courses, two conferences, two microcredentials, one workshop, and a diploma course – all on technology.
These have been designed in different formats to accommodate busy practitioners at every stage of their careers.
Advocating for you
I have been continuing to work with the Law Society to advocate strongly on behalf of the profession on issues of concern.
The Law Society’s non-statutory committees, staffed by volunteer expert solicitors, provide guidance and advocacy on technology, IP and data-protection matters, and by organising annual conferences to share recent developments in these areas with fellow practitioners.
Our engagements with Government and senior officials are ongoing to ensure that the process for creating an enduring power of attorney (EPA) becomes more accessible, and that anyone who wants to make an EPA is facilitated in doing so.
We are also advocating that technology grants be made available for smaller practices to enable them to enhance their cybersecurity and foster a higher degree of digitalisation.
Future-focused
The Law Society has been driving advances in technology that should speed up the conveyancing process.
Our efforts as a member of the Conveyancing and Probate Implementation Group – part of the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ initiative – has already reaped success.
In a recent progress report, the group noted that statutory declarations will be replaced with ‘statements of truth’ – a long-standing recommendation from the Law Society to combat a process that was inefficient, costly, and out of step with modern digital practices.
In terms of technology tools, you will be glad to hear that an e-conveyancing solution for solicitors is at an advanced stage of development to make the process faster, more intuitive, and more secure for solicitors and our clients.
All of these expert resources, advocacy on your behalf, and innovative digital tools are not only supporting solicitors to keep pace, but to lead in a ‘digital-ready’ legal future.
Eamon Harrington is President of the Law Society