Study: AI-powered lawtech adoption by law firms is low…

Study: AI-powered lawtech adoption by law firms is low
Despite an upward trend in the use of legal technology using artificial intelligence (AI), its overall usage is low according to a new study.

While document and knowledge management are the most common contexts of legal technology (80%) followed by accounts and time recording (69%), and document automation and matter workflow, the use of AI within this remains relatively small.

The Oxford University report surveyed solicitors in England and Wales and found that just 27% use AI for legal research, 16% for due diligence, and 12% for eDiscovery, eDisclosure, or technology-assisted review.

Almost half of respondents said that their organizations do not understand how lawyers are challenged by new technology and just a fifth said their organization captures data effectively so that it can be used by the tech.

Lawyers also said that they need more lawtech training, beyond specific technology solutions to include the wider issues of the legal issues created by technology and project management.

Most respondents also believe that lawyers need to understand non-legal technical specialisms such as data science, project management, and design thinking.

Clients should have a plan B for AGMs says Law Council of Australia
With the ongoing risks of COVID-19 disrupting lives and businesses, the Law Council of Australia says companies need to have contingency plans for their AGMs.

This includes ensuring that shareholders have reasonable ability to ask questions, make comments, and participate in votes.

Guidance notes have been developed by the Law Council in partnership with the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australasian Investor Relations Association.

The Federal Government is lessening threats of action against companies including temporary flexibility in the Corporations Act 2001 to provide targeted relief for companies from provisions of the Act to deal with unforeseen events that arise as a result of the Coronavirus health crisis.

Former Canadian provincial premier joins Dentons
The former premier of Quebec has joined Dentons as a senior business advisor.

Phillippe Couillard was the province’s 31st premier and will be based in the firm’s Montreal office to provide his insights and experience from a career that includes the management of complex and strategic issues at the national and international levels will benefit all of the firm's clients, particularly those working in the new technologies, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, financial, energy and infrastructure sectors.