Common types of legal technology
The glossary below introduces emerging and established technologies used by legal professionals, along with relevant resources where available.
Click on a term to learn more.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognising patterns, and making decisions. In legal practice, AI can automate routine tasks like document review and have been used to help predict case outcomes.
The Law Society has published useful information on AI, the AI Act, and key issues for practitioners to consider.
Assistive technology refers to tools that can improve the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. An article produced by the Technology Committee offers an introduction to the concept, and highlights 10 potentially useful tools.
Blockchain is a digital technology for verifying transactions without the need for an authoritative intermediary. The technology is based on a growing list of records (blocks), whereby each block contains information about the previous block, effectively forming a chain so that the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks.
Case management systems are designed to allow for the management of a matter by your team from intake to completion of all work. A Practice Note from the Technology Committee provides advice on issues to be considered when planning and acquiring a CMS and contains a current list of potential suppliers to the legal profession.
Technology solutions for cyber security range from file encryption programmes and antivirus software to password vaults and email screening. Often, your IT provider will have recommendations on the most appropriate solutions for your organisation's needs.
eDiscovery platforms are designed to sift through the large amounts of data involved in complex litigation to extract the most pertinent information and insights.
Knowledge management is the principle of making previous work outputs, research and other information easily accessible when needed in the future. Knowledge management providers may offer this service to search and glean insights from digitised resources through their own dedicated platform, or integrate with your own.
Legal Analytics are tools designed to extract valuable information from data within a system to allow for better decision making. They can be used to gain insight on internal matters, such as processes and time spent conducting different types of legal work, while certain companies offer predictive analytics solutions based on external data.
A range of online tools and directories aim to make the process of legal research more efficient for practitioners. These may bring together judgments and other relevant information in a more searchable format, or offer concise summaries of decisions and legislation for practitioners.
One popular research tool, Lexis+, is now available for solicitors to use when they visit the Law Society Library.