By Morgan Collens & Anna-Nikol Vladimirova
From the vantage point of my intern desk, I can see the various practice areas of law diligently working across the office. Indeed, I am positioned right at the centre with the property team to my right and wills and estates only a glance to the left. The commercial litigation team never escape diagonal line of sight, while migration is only a 180-degree desk-chair pivot away. The insight I have gained from this position has made me the perfect candidate for researching how we can implement AI across the different faculties at the firm. Having now conducted a thorough investigation into its many benefits, I cannot help but wonder whether I myself will be replaced by a legal chatbot?
But before I answer that, it is important to mention how AI can contribute to legal practice.
Automation of Repetitive Tasks
One of the most tangible impacts of AI in the legal field is the automation of repetitive tasks. Document review, contract analysis, and due diligence are areas where AI-powered tools can work with remarkable efficiency, reducing both time and costs associated with these processes. This enables lawyers to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and client interactions.
Legal Research Augmentation
AI-driven legal research tools can quickly identify relevant case law, statutes, and legal opinions. This expedites the research process, allowing lawyers to provide more comprehensive and informed advice to their clients.
Predictive Analytics and Decision Support
AI-powered predictive analytics can analyse historical data, case law, jurisdiction, and judge tendencies, to generate valuable insights into the likely success of a legal matter. This information empowers lawyers to make data-driven decisions, contributing to more effective legal strategies.
What does this mean for you and me?
Despite all these incredible benefits, the reality is that that the role of AI in legal practice remains very distinct from the human element which the profession requires. This means that AI integration does not call for replacement, but rather invites us to partake in a synergistic relationship. By leveraging AI’s automation of routine tasks, enhanced research capabilities, and data-driven insights, lawyers can focus on the unique skills and expertise that set us apart.
Think of it like baking a cake. While having access to range of ingredients is important, it is ultimately the expertise and artistic talent of the baker that is the key ingredient in creating a delicious masterpiece. Similarly, AI’s research capacity gives us access to high quality data, but it is our mastery of legal judgment and reasoning that combines these outputs in such a way as to produce the best results for our clients.
In addition, the practice of law often involves understanding and addressing the emotional and personal aspects of clients’ situations. We understand that litigation is a stressful experience and stive to support our clients throughout the process. This human touch is an essential aspect of client-lawyer relationships than cannot be automated.
We are truly living in exciting times. But while you may never really know whether it was Chat GPT or an intern that wrote this article, you can trust that as legal professionals, we will always have your best interests at heart. Having observed all the advantages AI can offer, our goal at Nevile & Co. is to integrate it in such a way that it maximises our productivity. In automating the monotonous tasks and maximising our legal research capacity, we can focus on what really matters – delivering an exceptional legal solution and protecting your interests.
Disclaimer: This publication contains comments of a general and introductory nature only and is provided as an information service. It is not intended to be relied upon as, nor is it a substitute for specific professional legal advice. You should always speak to us and obtain legal advice before taking any action relating to matters raised in this publication.
